The garden produced an amazing crop of apples and other fruit this year, having plenty of fruit to bake with I’ve made crumbles and tarts (spiced apple, apple and pear also apple and blackberry using foraged berries from the allotment which was delicious), but I go weak at the knees for cake. This recipe produces a lovely moist apple cake gently spiced with a generous amount of fruit, the sugar topping gives a slight crunch. I warn you, it’s incredibly moreish!
250g unsalted soft butter
200g caster sugar
250g plain flour
250g apples (a mix of cooking and dessert) peeled and diced
3 eggs
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking powder
Half a mug of sultanas
Generous amount of demerara sugar for sprinkling
Preheat oven to 170C (gas mark 3), line a 23cm cake tin with parchment paper. Cream the butter and caster sugar together in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy, beat the eggs together in a small bowl or jug and gradually add to the mixing bowl (add a tablespoon of the flour to the mix if it begins to curdle). Fold in the cinnamon, flour and baking powder until just combined, then fold in the apple and sultanas until completely combined.
Spoon mixture into the cake tin, spread the top until it’s level and push down any protruding apple pieces until they are covered to prevent burning. Sprinkle the demerara sugar over the top, bake on the middle shelf for 50 minutes, a skewer comes out clean when ready. Leave to cool slightly before turning out onto a wire rack.
Perfect just how it is or try adding ground almonds or walnuts. Enjoy!
Allotment Haven 