London Apple Sponge Cake Food

APPLE SANDWICH CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 180C/160C Fan/Gas 4. Grease two 20cm/8in round, loose-bottomed sandwich tins and line the bases with baking paper.
• Measure all the sponge ingredients except the apple and icing sugar into a large bowl and beat with an electric hand whisk until combined. Fold the grated apple into the mixture, then divide between the tins and level the tops.
• Bake in the oven for about 25-30 minutes until golden, well risen and coming away from the sides of the tins. Allow to cool in the tins.
• Meanwhile, make the filling. Whip the cream into soft peaks in a bowl, then lightly swirl in the lemon curd. Invert the tins to remove the cakes and then peel away the paper. Sit one cake upside down on a serving plate. Spread the lemon cream to the edge of the sponge, place the other cake gently on top to sandwich the cakes together.
• Dust the top with icing sugar to serve.

AUTUMN APPLE SPONGE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 180°C
• Grease and line the base of a 20cm loose based round cake tin.
• Quarter the apples and cut out the core. Cut quarters into slices and put them into a small bowl with the lemon juice. Toss to mix and set aside.
• Sieve the flour and baking powder into a large mixing bowl.
• Add the butter, sugar, eggs, sultanas and lemon zest. Beat together with a wooden spoon for 3 to 4 minutes until well mixed.
• Put mixture in the cake tin and level the top.
• Drain the juice from the apples and put the slices neatly on the cake. See Photo.
• Bake for about 35 minutes - when you gently press on the top of the cake it should spring back.
• Take out of the oven and leave to cool before removing form the tin.
• I usually double the quantity and cook in a 23" round cake tin (deep). It's enough to feed an army - or a very hungry family at least!
• Alternative toppings use fresh pears or canned, drained pineapple or mandarin oranges.
• This cake is great served with a generous spoon of whipped cream / crème freche.

TRADITIONAL ENGLISH APPLE TRAYBAKE - APPLE PUDDING CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 180°C/360°F or Gas mark 4.
• Grease & line a rectangular baking tray - approx 9" x 7" or 27 cms x 20 cms.
• Peel, core & thinly slice apples; squeeze the lemon juice over them to stop them discolouring and set them to one side.
• Place butter, caster sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, flour & baking powder into a large roomy mixing bowl & mix well until smooth. You can use an electric hand whisk if it's easier.
• Spread half of the cake/pudding mixture into the prepared tin. Arrange half of the apples over the top of the mixture.
• Repeat the layer with the remaining half of cake/pudding mixture & apples - the apples should be arranged over the top of the cake/pudding mixture.
• Sprinkle over with the demerara sugar.
• Bake for 45-50 minutes until golden brown, well risen & springy to the touch.
• Leave to cool slightly for 10 minutes & then cut into squares or bars.
• Wait until the cake has completely cooled before removing the cake & the baking paper from the tin - store in an airtight tin or container.
• If you wish to serve this warm as a pudding, wait 5-10 minutes and then cut and serve with cream, custard or ice cream.
• It can also be microwaved too, for a future hot pudding!

COUNTRY APPLE CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Line a 23cm loose-bottomed cake tin with baking parchment. In a large bowl, beat together the eggs and sugar until thick and pale, about 5 mins. Pour in the oil and stir well to combine.
• Sieve in the dry ingredients and fold through until the mixture is smooth and well combined before adding the apples.
• Carefully pour the mixture into the tin and bake for 45-50 mins. Leave to cool slightly before turning out onto a cooling rack. Once the cake is cool, dust with icing sugar and cinnamon.