Lactose-free apple cake: The secret to an irresistible and light texture!
If you’re looking for the perfect dessert that combines traditional authenticity with lightness, this easy and lactose-free apple cake is the ultimate answer to your culinary desires. Many think that giving up butter or milk means sacrificing softness, but this recipe completely overturns the concept. By using as much as 4.4 lbs of apples, you’ll achieve an almost creamy texture, where the fruit is the true star. It’s the ideal solution for those with intolerances, but also for those who want an impressive dessert to share with the whole family.
The preparation is so intuitive and easy that it will become your secret weapon for energetic breakfasts or healthy snacks, ensuring a resounding success even if you’re not an expert pastry chef. The smell of cinnamon and vanilla wafting from the oven will attract anyone within miles, making your kitchen the coziest place in the house.
Below are other delicious apple cakes:
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Very Cheap
- Preparation time: 15 Minutes
- Portions: 16 Pieces
- Cooking methods: Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Autumn, Winter, and Spring
- Energy 139.22 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 29.83 (g) of which sugars 21.66 (g)
- Proteins 2.89 (g)
- Fat 1.09 (g) of which saturated 0.46 (g)of which unsaturated 0.55 (g)
- Fibers 2.73 (g)
- Sodium 53.95 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 145 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients
- 4.4 lbs apples
- 1.25 cups sugar
- 5 eggs
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 pinch vanilla
- 1 pinch cinnamon powder
- to taste brown sugar
Tools
shopping tips
- Bowls Pyrex® – Prep & Store – Set of 3 durable glass bowls with lid (0.5L – 1L – 2L) – BPA-free
- Whisk Fackelmann Kitchen Whisk, Stainless Steel Material, Practical and Space-Saving with Hanging Loop, Dishwasher Safe, Dimensions 10.2 inches
- Cake Pan Zenker Springform Cake Pan 1 Bottom Ø30×6.5cm in Carbon Steel Coated with Teflon Classic Non-Stick Temp Max 446°F Black Metallic Line
Lactose-free apple cake steps
Preparing the apples: Peel the 4.4 lbs of apples, remove the core, and cut them into large pieces. Place them in a large bowl and, if desired, add a bit of lemon juice.
Beat the eggs: In another bowl, mix the eggs with the sugar, using a hand whisk, and add a pinch of salt.
Add the flavors and powders: Add the vanilla. Sift the flour with the baking powder and gently incorporate them into the egg mixture, stirring until you get a smooth batter.
Pour the batter over the apple chunks, add a pinch of cinnamon. Mix well with a spoon: it will seem like there’s too much fruit compared to the batter, but that’s the secret!
Baking: Line a 12-inch pan with parchment paper. Pour the mixture and level it. Generously sprinkle the surface with brown sugar.
In the oven: Bake in a preheated static oven at 350°F for about 50 minutes. Always do the toothpick test before removing from the oven.
Tips, notes, variations for the lactose-free apple cake
Varieties of apples: For this recipe, I recommend Renetta apples (for a tangy touch that melts in your mouth) or Golden Delicious (for a sweeter taste).
The diameter matters: If you use a smaller pan (e.g., 9 or 10 inches), the cake will be very tall but will require at least 15-20 more minutes of baking, and the risk is that it remains too moist in the center.
FAQ (Questions and Answers)
“Can I use fewer apples? 4.4 lbs seems like too much!”
The beauty of this cake is the “almost all fruit” effect. If you reduce the apples, you’ll get a cake more similar to a classic sponge cake. If you decide to go down to 2.2 lbs, use a smaller pan (9.5 inches).
“Is it normal for the cake to remain moist inside?”
Given the high fruit content, the internal texture will resemble that of a pudding or an “invisible cake.” It’s not raw; it’s simply rich in apple juice! That’s why the toothpick test is crucial.
Why is it a “Light” choice?
High fruit density: The apple takes up volume but provides few calories and lots of fiber.
No added fats: The only fats present are the natural ones from the egg yolks.
Satiating power: The fiber in the apples and the protein in the eggs help you feel full sooner.
