Apple crumble cake

I love apple cake – when it’s done right it’s moist and delicious! And I absolutely love putting streusel topping on a loaf – it gives a wonderfully buttery crunch to the cake! This cake is easy to make and you can use any variety of apple. It’s not too sweet, so it’s ideal to have for a tea party where you might be having cupcakes or frosted cakes too. I’ve made this one for colleagues before and it’s always gone down a storm – plus it’s easy to transport as there’s no fiddly icing!

For one loaf cake, you need:

• 140g butter, soft
• 250g self raising flour
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 140g light brown sugar
• 3 large eggs, beaten
• 2 apples, peeled and grated (any variety)
• 100mls milk (ideally whole)
• and a loaf tin, greased with oil or cake release, and lined at the bottom with baking parchment

For the topping:

• 80g plain flour
• 40g butter, soft
• 40g light brown sugar

1. Preheat your oven to 160ºC.
2. Beat the butter and sugar together until fluffy. Add the cinnamon and beat until combined.
3. Add the eggs and beat. Then add the flour, apples, and milk and beat on low until well combined. Pour into prepared tin and set aside.
4. Now make the topping by rubbing the butter and flour together, then adding the sugar and rubbing it all in with your fingertips so you have a rough crumble mix. I also eat a bit now to make sure it’s not poisonous…
5.  Sprinkle it evenly over the cake batter and bake for 50-60 mins until a skewer comes out clean when inserted. Cool in the tin for 15 mins, then turn out carefully and cool on a wire rack.

Enjoy with a hot cup of tea! It goes well with a dollop of clotted cream of creme fraiche if you’re feeling a bit indulgent!