Tuesday 30 March 2010

Kentish Apple Cake

A lot of the time these days, emphasis is put on how bad the need for speed is. There are two sides to the story: people who want things done super quickly, and those who just want everyone to slow down and relax. This cake happily bridges the gap between both ideas.DSCF6696 This cake is a pure snap to make – just mix all the ingredients in one bowl and bake. I normally get nervous when something gets the label ‘idiot proof’ (if I muck it up, what does that make me?!) but this cake really does deserve this title. So that’s the part that makes need-for-speed people happy. Once its baked, that’s when you take your time. Slowly enjoy each bite of a generous slice served with another generous ‘dollop’ of Greek yoghurt. Sit, breathe, eat, enjoy. And that’s the slow-down-and-relax people happy.DSCF6710 This cinnamon-apple cake will fill your house with the most tempting of smells whilst it bakes – so this is worth it for the smell alone. This cake is one of those that is perfect to make for “when people ring and announce they are coming over”. It uses general ingredients that are pretty much always at home, is quick and as above looks, smells and tastes gorgeous (and also has no butter involved). It has a very soft and moist texture, dotted with the sweet bursts of sultanas and finished with the crunchy demerara topping. Yum.DSCF6706 Kentish Apple Cake, my Mum’s recipe (originally from The Telegraph)

Ingredients: 225g self-raising flour
pinch of salt
2tsp ground mixed spice or cinnamon
255g light brown soft sugar
4 eggs, lightly beaten
200ml sunflower oil
310g apples, cored and diced (roughly 3 apples)
100g sultanas
Demerara sugar

Method: 1. Sieve the flour, salt and spices into a bowl and then stir in the sugar.

2. Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients and add the eggs and the oil.

3. Mix until completely smooth and then add the apple and sultanas. Spoon into a lightly greased 30x20cm tin and sprinkle with sugar.

4. Bake at 180’C (Gas Mark 4) for 25-30 minutes until risen and golden. DSCF6717

14 comments:

verity said...

Mmmm, that looks amazing - I'll have to make a note of it. What is specifically Kentish about it I wonder? How does that differ from Devonshire?

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

That cake looks so tempting! I'd have a cuppa with my slice, please ;-p...

Cheers,

Rosa

Dewi said...

This apple cake sounds absolutely amazing Lucy. I love it. I'd eat this for breakfast!

La Table De Nana said...

I love apples and raisins and cinnamon..And Idiot Proof:) Thank you~

Faith said...

This cake looks so moist and full of goodies! I love the sugar on top for a little crunch (and sparkle! :) ).

Merenia said...

Hi, I am a bit obsessed with apple cakes and have collected, Dorset, Irish, Scottish, Dutch, French versions, so will add this to the list. Could you replace the oil with the same weight in butter if so inclined?

Cathy @ NurtureStore said...

Hi Lucy, This looks lovely. I'm going to try it next week and put some in my girls lunch bags.

Ash said...

What a great cake Lucy!! So perfect for spring!!

Jamie said...

This cake looks fabulous!

Nisrine@Dinners and Dreams said...

This cake reminds me of the one my mom made when I was a child. I still remember how moist and fragrant the apples make the cake. Another great recipe, Lucy.

Pen Pen said...

Cinnamon Apple is my boyfriend's favorite "flavor" for anything baked-and his birthday is in May-perhaps I should try this out! I bet he'd love it! :)

verity said...

Lucy - I finally made this this morning and it looks delectable!

the itinerant epicure said...

Theodora Fitzgibbon, in her British food bible "The Art of British Cooking" has a wonderful recipe for Kentish Apple Cake too, and your photos have got me drooling at the mouth!

GSGreatEscaper said...

I live in the US and have been wanting to make this. I poked around and found that 255 g brown sugar = 1.25 cups, and 225 g SR flour = 1.5 cups All Purpose flour plus 1/4 tsp salt plus 2 1/4 tsp (probably 1 tablespoon would work) baking powder. Just in case any other US readers were wondering. If I make it I'll post my results...