Apple, Earl Grey and Cardamom Loaf

It's that time of year again when there are home grown apples in abundance. So, here's the first of my apple-related bakes for this season. This cake is the result of me trying to think of something a bit unusual and different to bake. On the surface it looks like a simple and boring apple cake, however once you've taken a bit the cake will reveal its magic. Earl grey, apple and cardamom may seem like a peculiar combination, but I think it's delicious and a match made in heaven. If you're not convinced, give the recipe a try and decide for yourself!  

Recipe - Makes a 1lb loaf 

For the cake:

• 60ml dairy free milk (I used almond milk)
• 1/2 tsp cider vinegar
• 125g self-raising flour
• 1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 1/4 tsp ground cardamom 
• 1/2 tsp earl grey tea (from a tea bag)
• 65g dairy free margarine, diced
• 75g light muscovado sugar
• 2 small apples, peeled, cored and diced (about 120g when chopped)

For the icing:

• 1 earl grey tea bag
• 50ml hot water
• 40g icing sugar

Prepare the tin by greasing a1lb loaf tin lightly with margarine and lining with baking paper. Set aside until needed, then preheat the oven to 160C. 

To make the cake mix, firstly add the cider vinegar to the milk and stir. Leave to curdle whilst you prepare the remaining ingredients. Tip the flour, bicarbonate of soda, ground cardamom and earl grey into a large mixing bowl. Add the margarine and rub in to form breadcrumbs. Stir through the sugar and diced apple, then the milk and vinegar to form a batter. Spoon this into the prepared tin and bake for 30-35 minutes or until risen and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Remove from the oven, leave in the tin for a few moments then transfer to a wire rack to cool.

When the cake is cool, make the icing. Steep the tea bag in the hot water for 3-5 minutes, then add about 1-2 tsp of the water to the icing sugar, stirring until a slightly runny icing is formed. Drizzle over the cake and leave to set before serving.