Apple Cake

As it is apple season, I thought it time to share a recipe for a family favourite apple cake to make use of the glut from home orchards. It has a little almond extract in to give it a boost of flavour, although this could be swapped for vanilla if preferred, or a teaspoon of cinnamon or mixed spice added instead. Either way, it is a delicious accompaniment to a scoop of ice cream, dollop of custard, or cup of tea.

Recipe - Serves 16

• 225g plain flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• Pinch salt
• 125g butter, diced
• 175g caster sugar
• 4 apples, peeled, cored and diced
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 tbsp milk
• 1 tsp almond extract
• Demerara sugar, to sprinkle

Preheat the oven to 160C. Grease and line an 8inch square tray bake tin with baking paper. Set aside.

Mix the flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl and add the butter. Rub in to form breadcrumbs. Stir in the sugar, followed by the apple, then the egg, milk and almond extract. Tip into the lined tin and spread to flatten. Sprinkle with demerara sugar and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until golden brown and a skewer inserted comes out clean. 

Remove from the oven and leave to cool for 10 minutes, before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Cut into 16 even squares to serve.