Apple Cake for Labor Day

It's Labor Day, it's the end of summer, it's picnic time. So why not take off to the park with a slice of tortilla (see my last post) and some apple cake. Apples are plentiful right now, but you can also make this cake with pears, or try adding in a handful of berries in place of the sultanas and walnuts. This recipe originated in Germany. You will amaze your friends with your baking skills. This is one easy cake to make, but your secret will be safe with me.

Ingredients

1 lb cooking apples, peeled, cored and chopped up fine
2 oz sultanas
1 oz chopped walnuts
1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 oz Turbinado or Demerara sugar
4 oz superfine sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 level tsp baking powder
1 stick butter, melted
1 egg, beaten

Method

Combine fruit, nuts, spices and Turbinado/Demerara sugar in a large bowl. Mix superfine sugar, flour, butter, egg and beat well. Set oven to 350 degrees. Grease and line a deep, round, loose-bottomed 8" cake tin. Spread 2/3 of the cake batter onto the base of the pan. Add the apple mixture. Spoon the remaining batter over the top. It should almost cover the fruit filling. Bake 50-60 minutes, until well risen and springy to touch. You can serve warm with custard, cream or ice cream. But remember to save some to cool for your picnic!