Simple-to-make apple cake that can be cut into bars or squares for a teatime treat
Prep:20 mins
Cuts into 16 pieces
225g butter, softened, plus extra for the tin450g cooking apples (such as Bramley)½ lemon, juiced280g golden caster sugar4 eggs2 tsp vanilla extract350g self-raising flour2 tsp baking powderdemerara sugar, to sprinkle
STEP 1Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Butter and line a rectangular baking tin (approx 27 x 20cm) with baking parchment. Peel, core and thinly slice the apples, then squeeze over the lemon juice. Set aside.STEP 2Put the butter, caster sugar, eggs, vanilla, flour and baking powder into a large bowl and mix well until smooth. Spread half the mixture into the prepared tin. Arrange half the apples over the top of the mixture, then repeat the layers. Sprinkle over the demerara sugar.STEP 3Bake for 45-50 mins until golden and springy to the touch. Leave to cool for 10 mins, then turn out of the tin and remove the paper. Cut into bars or squares.
