Apple and raisin cake (or tart)
Sweet

Apple and raisin cake (or tart)

Apple cake is a traditional south African confection and with this recipe plumped up raisins are added for extra deliciousness. The caramel cream sauce soaks into the cake as it comes out the oven giving it a luscious glossy coating. This cake hovers between tart and cake as so many apples are packed into the batter and is a quick and easy dessert to whip up in one bowl.

Ingredients

Recipe – makes one tart / cake – serves 6 - 8


Cake / tart:


½ cup raisins or sultanas 

¾ cup / 175gm sugar

3Tbs / 35gms melted butter

2 large free-range eggs

Pinch of salt

1 cup / 250ml / 170gm self-raising flour

¼ cup / 60ml milk

½ tsp vanilla extract

1 x 385gm pie apple slices (13.5ounces)


Sauce:


½ cup muscovado sugar

250ml / 1 cup cream (or evapourated milk)

1 tsp vanilla extract (or essence)

Instructions

Pre heat the oven to 180C / 350F.


Pour boiling hot water over the raisins and allow to soak for 15 minutes. Drain and allow to cool.


In a large bowl whisk the sugar, melted butter, eggs and salt until well combined.


Add the flour, milk and vanilla and mix again until you have a smooth batter. Fold through the soaked raisins.


Grease a roughly 25cm / 9.5ich tart dish with butter or spray with non-stick cooking spray *you could also use a 20cm / 8ich cake pan. Tip the batter into to the dish and spread the batter out evenly. Gently press all the apple slices into the dish and bake in for 45 minutes until golden brown and firm toe the touch. If necessary and to prevent over browning, loosely cover a piece of tin foil over the tart from about halfway through the baking time. 


While the tart is baking make the sauce by putting all the ingredients into a small pot and bringing to a gentle boil. Keep a close eye as this could spill over.


As the apple tart comes out the oven, pour the hot sauce over and allow it to soak through. Poke the cake in a few places and lift up the edges to help the sauce seep into the sponge. 


Allow to cool and serve at room temperature as is or with additional whipped cream or ice cream.