This cake is passed down through generations in Italy… you probably won’t find this pastry in Italian bakeries, but if you have good friends in Italy, you might be lucky enough to taste this homemade cake within their family circle! However, with my recipe, you can enjoy a slice of freshly baked cake right in your own home.
You will need:
- 260g Rice (small, roundish, and slightly elongated)
- 120g Sugar
- 120g Almond flour
- 1 Lemon (zest for the rice and juice for the apples)
- 1 liter Milk
- 5 Medium-sized eggs
- 16g Baking powder
- A pinch of Salt
- 400g Apples
- 100g Raisins
To start, pour the milk into a saucepan, add a pinch of salt and 2 tablespoons of sugar (from the total amount), and bring it to a boil.
Now, add the rice and simmer for 20 minutes over medium heat. Once the rice is cooked, cover it with plastic wrap and set it aside to cool.
Soak the raisins in water or rum and set them aside.
Dice the apples and sprinkle them with lemon juice to prevent them from browning. Set them aside.
Now, separate the egg yolks from the egg whites. Beat the egg whites until they form stiff peaks, gradually adding the remaining sugar while continuing to beat. Once the egg whites have reached a firm, snowy consistency, begin adding the egg yolks one by one, continuing to beat.
Next, add the raisins (after draining any excess liquid) and mix them well into the cooled rice.
Gradually fold the beaten eggs into the rice mixture, using gentle, upward strokes with a silicone spatula.
Add the almond flour and sifted baking powder, and gently fold them into the mixture with the silicone spatula.
Finally, add the diced apples and fold them in as well.
Transfer the batter to a baking dish, approximately 25-26 cm in diameter (about 10-11 inches). If possible, grease and line the baking dish with parchment paper.
Bake for 45 minutes at 180°C (350°F). Be sure to check the readiness of the cake before removing it from the oven.
Allow the cake to cool very well, dust it with powdered sugar, and serve!
Tips:
- You can add vanilla or cinnamon, chocolate chips, pine nuts, or flavor it with your favorite liqueur, rum, or orange zest.
- You can substitute almond flour with hazelnut flour.
