Ye gods I love me an Easy Dorset Apple Cake. Although I’m an Essex girl, I’ve lived in Dorset for over 25years now; far longer than I lived in my ‘home’ town. It’s a truly beautiful place to live, and I constantly feel ridiculously lucky to call it home. So as I revive my old ‘Sunday Baking’ series, the first will be my recipe for the iconic Dorset Apple Cake.
This one’s a classic – and so very easy that my daughter at 4 years old could do most of it herself. Eat it warm with a scoop of ice cream as a dessert, or (if it lasts long enough) then simply cold with a cup of tea is perfect. A spoonful of Dorset Clotted Cream is optional (though, really, it’s almost a moral obligation…), of course.
Dorset Apple Cake Traybake
What you need:
- 450g Bramley apples (honestly I use any apples I have in my bowl – cookers just go more mushy in the cake)
- juice of ½ lemon
- 225g butter , softened
- 280g golden caster sugar
- 4 eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 350g self-raising flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- Demerara sugar, to sprinkle
How long it will take:
Prep 20 mins
Cook 50 mins
What You Do:
- Heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Butter and line a rectangular baking tin (approx 27cm x 20cm) with parchment paper.
- Peel, core and thinly slice the apples then squeeze the lemon juice over. Set to one side.
- Place the butter, caster sugar, eggs, vanilla, flour and baking powder into a large bowl and mix well until smooth.
- Spread half the cake mixture into the prepared tin.
- Arrange the apples over the top of the mixture, then cover with remaining cake mix.
- Sprinkle over the demerara sugar.
- Bake for 45-50 mins until golden and springy to the touch. Leave to cool for 10 mins, then turn out of tin and remove paper. Cut into bars or squares.
- Will keep for a week in an air tight container, but best eaten whilst still warm with a dollop of clotted cream and a large pot of scalding hot tea. Nom nom nom.
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During June, Bramley Apples are sharing a selection of delicious Bramley barbecue and picnic recipes, perfect for the British summertime, come rain or shine.
The Bramley is rightly recognised by professional chefs and home cooks alike as the best apple for cooking. Unlike dessert apples, or ‘eating apples’, the Bramley maintains it’s wonderfully strong, tangy taste when cooked. Grown only in Britain, the Bramley’s unique qualities make it a versatile and much-loved ingredient.
The Bramley Campaign wants people to share their love for Bramley on social media using the #LoveBramley. Try sharing a recipe, top tip or photo of your own Bramley barbecue or picnic dish!
Make sure to head over to their Facebook and Instagram pages to see Bramley apple recipes, images, competitions and more!
14 October 2017
I remember the boiled potatoes in school having a particular lovely taste, what did they do to them and also always lovely gravy.