Indulge your senses in the delightful symphony of flavors with our Easy Apple and Cinnamon Cake. This uncomplicated yet irresistibly delicious cake is a testament to the magic that happens when simple ingredients come together. With buttery richness, the warmth of cinnamon, and the sweetness of diced apples, this cake is a celebration of autumn in every bite.
How to Make It:
Prepare Your Oven: Preheat your oven to 180C / 160C fan / gas mark 4 / 350F. Grease a 20cm (8inch) cake tin and line the bottom with baking paper.
Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat together softened butter and dark soft brown sugar until pale and fluffy, using a wooden spoon or an electric hand whisk.
Add Eggs: Add the eggs one at a time, thoroughly mixing each egg into the batter before adding the next one.
Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Add self-raising flour and cinnamon, carefully mixing with a wooden spoon until just incorporated. Avoid over-mixing at this stage.
Add Milk: Stir in 2 tablespoons of milk gently.
Prepare Apples: Peel and core the apple. Cut half of it into 10 slices and chop the other half into small pieces (roughly ½cm / ¼inch cubes). Stir the small apple pieces into the cake mixture.
Bake and Serve: Transfer the batter into the prepared tin, smooth the top, and arrange apple slices on top. Sprinkle a tablespoon of brown sugar evenly. Bake for 25 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean. Allow it to cool for 10 minutes in the tin before turning it onto a wire rack. Serve warm or cold, solo, or with cream, ice cream, or custard.
Recipe Variations and Tips:
Enhance the spice: Experiment with mixed spice or pumpkin spice instead of cinnamon.
Fruit swaps: Try using pears instead of apples or add a generous handful of raisins, sultanas, or blackberries.
Nutty twist: Swap 50g of flour for an equal amount of ground almonds.
Storage and Freezing: Store the cooled cake in an airtight tin for up to a week. For freezing, wrap the cooled cake in a double layer of baking paper and foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight at room temperature.