Description
Delia Smith’s Dorset Apple Cake is a rustic, fruity cake made with fresh apples, flour, butter, sugar, and spices. The apples add a natural sweetness and moisture to the cake, while the crumb is soft and slightly spiced. The cake can be topped with a sprinkle of sugar for a bit of crunch or served with whipped cream or custard for a decadent dessert.
Ingredients
- Self-raising flour (225g): The base of the cake that helps it rise.
- Butter (125g, softened): Adds richness and moisture to the cake.
- Light brown sugar (175g): Sweetens the cake and adds a slight caramel flavor.
- Eggs (2 large): Bind the ingredients together.
- Baking powder (1 teaspoon): Ensures the cake rises well.
- Ground cinnamon (1 teaspoon): Adds warmth and spice.
- Apples (2-3 medium, peeled, cored, and chopped): The star ingredient, providing moisture and sweetness.
- Milk (2 tablespoons): Helps to loosen the batter.
- Demerara sugar (1 tablespoon): Optional, for sprinkling on top for a crunchy finish.
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan) or 350°F. Grease and line a 20cm (8-inch) round cake tin with parchment paper.
Step 2: Prepare the Apples
- Peel, core, and chop the apples into small chunks. Set them aside while you prepare the batter.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and light brown sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy. This should take about 3-4 minutes.
Step 4: Add the Eggs
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next.
Step 5: Sift the Dry Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, sift the self-raising flour, baking powder, and ground cinnamon. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the creamed butter and sugar mixture.
Step 6: Add the Apples and Milk
- Gently fold the chopped apples into the batter. Stir in the milk to loosen the mixture slightly, making sure the apples are evenly distributed.
Step 7: Transfer to the Cake Tin
- Spoon the batter into the prepared cake tin, smoothing the top with a spatula. If desired, sprinkle the top with demerara sugar for extra crunch.
Step 8: Bake the Cake
- Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. If the top starts to brown too quickly, cover it loosely with foil.
Step 9: Cool and Serve
- Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the tin for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve warm or at room temperature.