Apple cake

I normally use this recipe for a rhubarb cake, but since I've got all these apples I thought I might give this version ago.

Apple cake

1 egg
3 dl sugar
3,5 dl cream and milk (half and half)
6 dl plain flour
3 tsp baking powder
100g soft butter
apples, peeled, cored and sliced
a few pinches of sugar and ground cinnamon to sprinkle on top
(flaked or ground almonds)

Whisk the egg and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the cream and milk mixture, baking powder and flour. Mix the soft butter in with the rest of the ingredients and pour the mixture onto a baking tray lined with baking paper. Place the apple slices on top (they will sink slightly) and sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon. You could try sprinkling flaked almonds on top or add some ground almonds into the mixture before pouring it onto the baking tray. Bake 200°C/30 mins. Lovely served warm with vanilla ice cream or cold hidden into a lunch box to brighten up someone's day.

Courgette cake

I wish I had tried this recipe sooner. Just a while ago I was drowning in courgettes and now after having just used my last one, I'm contemplating the idea of actually buying some (oh horror!) to make more of this lovely, moist cake. I think I need to raid the freezer to check if I have some grated courgette hiding somewhere.

Courgette cake (adapted from a recipe in The Edible Garden)

1 medium courgette, grated and drained in a sieve to get rid of some of the moisture
100g softened butter
150g soft brown sugar
2 eggs
100g plain flour
50g wholemeal spelt flour
50g ground almonds
3 tsp baking powder

Whisk the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Mix in the eggs, then the flour, almonds, baking powder and grated courgette. Bake in a well greased tin 180°C (160°C for fan assisted oven) for 40-45 mins.

A must recipe for next summer.

Cake, glorious cake!

We've eaten our strawberries ages ago, but there's only one way to celebrate birthdays in this house and it is by baking a strawberry cake. My mother always used to make me one for my birthday and I want to carry on the tradition. Here's the recipe.

Strawberry cake

4 eggs

1,5 dl sugar
1 dl flour
1 dl potato flour (starch)
1 tsp baking powder
a little bit of milk or juice from a canned fruit tin
strawberries
whipping cream

Preheat the oven to 200°C. Grease the bottom and sides of the cake tin with butter.

Whisk the eggs and sugar together until pale and fluffy. Carefully fold in the dry ingredients. Pour the mixture into the tin. Bake for 30 mins.

Whip the cream, add some sugar, crush the strawberries and mix them all together. Once the cake has cooled down cut it into 3 layers. Spoon some milk or fruit juice over the first layer to moisten the cake and top with strawberries and cream. Repeat with the second layer. Lift the third layer on top, spoon some milk/fruit juice over and cover with cling film. Put a weight, such as a cutting board on top and leave in the fridge for 2 hours.

Whip some more cream and add some sugar. Use a knife to spread the cream on top and on the sides of the cake. Decorate with strawberries. Enjoy a big slice with a cup of strong coffee. Delish!

Happy Birthday Dearest!