Dorset Apple Cake
A moist and flavourful cake from Dorset, packed with apples and warm spices, often with a delightful crunchy sugar topping. It's a perfect accompaniment to a cup of tea.
🧂 Ingredients
- 250 g Self-raising flour
- 2 tsp Baking powder
- 2 tsp Ground cinnamon
- 150 g Unsalted butter(softened)
- 150 g Light brown sugar
- 100 ml Milk
- 2 large Large eggs(lightly beaten)
- 500 g Cooking apples(peeled, cored, and thinly sliced (e.g., Bramley, Granny Smith))
- 0.5 medium Lemon(juiced)
- 2 tbsp Demerara sugar(for topping)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas Mark 4. Grease and line a 20cm round baking tin with baking parchment.
- 2
In a large bowl, whisk together the self-raising flour, baking powder, and cinnamon.
💡 Tip: Sifting the dry ingredients can help create a lighter cake. - 3
Add the softened butter to the dry ingredients and rub in with your fingertips until the mixture resembles wet sand. Alternatively, use a food processor.
- 4
Stir in the light brown sugar. In a separate bowl, lightly beat the eggs, then add them to the flour mixture. Mix gently until just combined. The mixture may look like a paste.
💡 Tip: Avoid overmixing at this stage. - 5
Gradually add the milk, mixing until you have a thick, smooth batter. Add a splash more milk if the batter is too stiff.
- 6
Peel, core, and thinly slice the apples. Place them in a bowl and toss with the lemon juice to prevent browning. Add most of the sliced apples to the cake batter, reserving some for the top. Fold them in gently.
💡 Tip: Using a mix of apple varieties can add complexity to the flavour. - 7
Pour the batter into the prepared baking tin and spread evenly. Arrange the reserved apple slices on top of the batter.
- 8
Sprinkle the demerara sugar evenly over the top of the cake. This will create a lovely crunchy topping.
💡 Tip: Demerara sugar provides a superior crunch compared to caster sugar. - 9
Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. The cake should be golden brown and well-risen.
- 10
Allow the cake to cool in the tin for 10 minutes before turning it out onto a wire rack to cool completely. Serve warm or cold.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Serve with a dollop of clotted cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra treat.
- ✓This cake keeps well for a few days in an airtight container.
- ✓For a richer flavour, you can add a handful of sultanas or chopped walnuts to the batter.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Some recipes include ground almonds in the batter for added texture.
- A drizzle of icing sugar glaze can be added once the cake has cooled.