Mum's Apple Cake - Scrummy Yummy!

Popped over to Mum's for tea this evening and arrived just as this heavenly creation was emerging from the oven. I wish you could smell this - warm appley/cinnamon - just like a Mum's kitchen should be :)So we had to eat all our tea before Mum would let us tuck in - it was still warm so very crumbly but with a dollop of creme fraiche - mmmmmmm :) Are you drooling yet? Well, here's the recipe - I snaffooed it out from under her nose! LOL

225g softened butter

400g Bramley apples, cleaned & died to about 1cm (0.5inch)

2 tablespoons raisins

1 lemon - zest and juiced

225g golden caster sugar

3 eggs

225g self raising flour

2 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon cinnamon

25g ground almonds (optional)

1 tablespoon demerara crystal

Preheat oven to 180 degrees centigrade/gas mark 4. Line the base of a 23cm (9inch) cake tin and lightly grease the sides.

Put diced apples, raisins and lemon juice in a bowl.

Cream together caster sugar, butter and lemon zest until pale & fluffy, add the eggs gradually then fold in the flour, baking power and cinnamon (and almonds if you are including them). Drain excess lemon juice from the apples and raisins and add to the cake mixture.

Tip the whole lot into the cake tin and shake gently to level, sprinkle the demerara sugar over the top.

Bake for 1 hour, cover the top with tinfoil if it starts to brown too much. Leave to cool in the tin for 10-15 minutes then turn out onto a serving plate.

Enjoy :)