Somerset Apple Cake West Country England Food

SOMERSET POMONA, APPLE & ALMOND CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Butter and line the base and sides of a 20cm round cake tin. Peel, core and slice the apples to about the thickness of a £1 coin. Melt the knob of butter in a large frying pan then tip in the apples. Cook over a medium heat, stirring every so often till softened, but not soggy, about 5 mins. Splash in the Pomona and leave to cool. Tip onto a plate to cool more quickly if you like.
• Using an electric whisk or wooden spoon, beat the softened butter and sugar until creamy and light. Add the eggs a little at a time, beating after each addition, then fold in the flour and almonds. Finally, fold in half of the cooled apples. Spoon the mix into the prepared tin, smooth the top and scatter with the rest of the apples, pressing down lightly into the batter.
• Bake for 1 hr, until golden and a skewer inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean. Check the cake after 45 mins, cover with foil if it's browning too quickly. To make the glaze, warm the jam and Pomona in a small pan until the jam melts.
• Once the cake is out of the oven, prick it all over with a skewer and drizzle over a little more Pomona. Cool for 10 mins, then turn out of the tin and transfer to a wire rack. Brush the glaze over the apples and serve sliced, with dollops of Pomona cream. Best eaten on the day it's made, or warmed through the next.

SOMERSET APPLE CAKE - WEST COUNTRY, ENGLAND

Steps:

• Grease and line a deep 7" round cake tin with greaseproof paper (waxed paper).
• Cream the butter and sugar together until pale and fluffy. Add the eggs, a little at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the flour, spices and baking powder and mix well. Fold in the apples and enough milk to make a soft dropping consistency.
• Turn the mixture into the prepared tin and bake at 325F for 1 1/2 hours, until well risen and firm to the touch. Turn out on a wire rack to cool.
• When the cake is cold, brush with the honey and sprinkle with the light brown sugar to decorate.

DORSET APPLE CAKE

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Butter and line a deep 20cm cake tin with baking parchment.
• Mix the flour and cinnamon together in a large bowl. Add the butter and rub into the flour using your fingers, until it resembles fine breadcrumbs. Stir in the light brown sugar. Beat in the egg followed by 6-8 tbsp of milk - add it gradually until you have a smooth, thick batter.
• Add the apples and sultanas and mix to combine. Scrape the batter into the prepared tin and gently level out. Sprinkle over the demerara sugar, if using, and bake for 30-40 mins or until golden and a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean.
• Allow to cool in the tin for 15 mins and then carefully turn out onto a wire rack to cool further. Best served still warm with a little custard.