Ingredients

  • 1 lb bramley cooking apple
  • 1/2 lemon, juice of
  • 8 ounces butter, softened
  • 10 ounces golden caster sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 12 ounces self raising flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 2 tablespoons demerara sugar

Method

  • Preheat oven to 180°C/360°F or Gas mark 4.
  • Grease & line a rectangular baking tray - approx 9" x 7" or 27 cms x 20 cms.
  • Peel, core & thinly slice apples; squeeze the lemon juice over them to stop them discolouring and set them to one side.
  • Place butter, caster sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, flour & baking powder into a large roomy mixing bowl & mix well until smooth. You can use an electric hand whisk if it's easier.
  • Spread half of the cake/pudding mixture into the prepared tin. Arrange half of the apples over the top of the mixture.
  • Repeat the layer with the remaining half of cake/pudding mixture & apples - the apples should be arranged over the top of the cake/pudding mixture.
  • Sprinkle over with the demerara sugar.
  • Bake for 45-50 minutes until golden brown, well risen & springy to the touch.
  • Leave to cool slightly for 10 minutes & then cut into squares or bars.
  • Wait until the cake has completely cooled before removing the cake & the baking paper from the tin - store in an airtight tin or container.
  • If you wish to serve this warm as a pudding, wait 5-10 minutes and then cut and serve with cream, custard or ice cream.
  • It can also be microwaved too, for a future hot pudding!