Description
Hairy Bikers Apple Cake is a classic British cake made with fresh apples, flour, butter, sugar, and eggs, spiced with a touch of cinnamon or nutmeg. The apples give the cake a moist texture and a naturally sweet flavor, while the buttery sponge creates a light and fluffy crumb. This cake can be served plain or dusted with icing sugar, and it pairs beautifully with cream, custard, or even ice cream.
Ingredients
- Apples (2-3, peeled, cored, and chopped): Choose tart apples like Granny Smith or sweet apples like Braeburn for the best flavor.
- Self-raising flour (225g): The base of the cake ensures a light texture.
- Butter (175g, softened): Adds richness and moisture to the cake.
- Caster sugar (175g): Sweetens the cake and balances the tartness of the apples.
- Eggs (3 large): Binds the ingredients together and provides structure.
- Baking powder (1 teaspoon): Helps the cake rise and stay light.
- Ground cinnamon (1 teaspoon): Adds warmth and a hint of spice to the cake.
- Milk (2 tablespoons): Loosens the batter and adds extra moisture.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Enhances the flavor of the cake.
- Demerara sugar (2 tablespoons): For sprinkling on top to create a crunchy crust.
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan) or 350°F. Grease and line a 23cm round cake tin with parchment paper.
Step 2: Prepare the Apples
- Peel, core, and chop the apples into small chunks. Set aside.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and caster sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy. This should take about 3-4 minutes.
Step 4: Add the Eggs and Vanilla
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Step 5: Mix the Dry Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, sift together the self-raising flour, baking powder, and ground cinnamon.
Step 6: Combine the Wet and Dry Ingredients
- Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the butter and sugar mixture. Add the milk to loosen the batter, stirring until smooth.
Step 7: Fold in the Apples
- Gently fold the chopped apples into the cake batter until they are evenly distributed.
Step 8: Transfer to the Cake Tin
- Spoon the batter into the prepared cake tin, smoothing the top with a spatula. Sprinkle the top with the demerara sugar for added crunch.
Step 9: Bake the Cake
- Bake the cake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean and the top is golden brown.
Step 10: Cool and Serve
- Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the tin for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve warm or at room temperature with a dusting of icing sugar, or enjoy it with cream, custard, or ice cream.