What is the best way to brighten up an afternoon? Good old fashion Afternoon Tea! This was a huge such a huge hit with my office, they asked me to bring in more!

Apple cake is a great way to use up those extra harvested apples (I made mine from one’s from a friend’s apple tree) and have something sweet in the afternoon. Because this cake is sweet, it is a perfect pairing for your favourite cup of black tea (my choice – a delicious Earl Grey) or decaf coffee.

Not a afternoon tea person? It also is perfect for dessert at the end of a meal to satisfy that sweet craving.

INGREDIENTS

2 cups sugar
1/2 cup softened butter
2 eggs
6 large apples, thinly sliced
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
Water (about 2 tbs)

Special Equipment: 9-inch spring-form pan

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 350F.

Cream together sugar and butter. Whisk in eggs one at time, making sure each one is fully incorporated before adding the next.

Sift together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg in a separate bowl from the egg mixture. Add in half of flour mixture into the egg mixture and stir until incorporated. Add the second half of the flour mixture and stir until just mixed. Add water until mixture is thin enough to mix with the apples. Add apples and stir until fully incorporated.

Pour into a greased 9-inch spring-form pan. Bake for about 1 hour or until a toothpick comes out clean. When baking this cake, it is very moist due to the apples, so make sure the toothpick comes out clean before taking it out of the oven. Don’t worry if it takes longer than the time here estimates. I personally prefer sweeter varieties of apples for this cake.

Serves 8-10

Recipe adapted from All Food Recipes