London Apple Sponge Cake Recipes

AUTUMN APPLE SPONGE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 180°C
• Grease and line the base of a 20cm loose based round cake tin.
• Quarter the apples and cut out the core. Cut quarters into slices and put them into a small bowl with the lemon juice. Toss to mix and set aside.
• Sieve the flour and baking powder into a large mixing bowl.
• Add the butter, sugar, eggs, sultanas and lemon zest. Beat together with a wooden spoon for 3 to 4 minutes until well mixed.
• Put mixture in the cake tin and level the top.
• Drain the juice from the apples and put the slices neatly on the cake. See Photo.
• Bake for about 35 minutes - when you gently press on the top of the cake it should spring back.
• Take out of the oven and leave to cool before removing form the tin.
• I usually double the quantity and cook in a 23" round cake tin (deep). It's enough to feed an army - or a very hungry family at least!
• Alternative toppings use fresh pears or canned, drained pineapple or mandarin oranges.
• This cake is great served with a generous spoon of whipped cream / crème freche.

JAMES MARTIN'S RUSSIAN SHARLOTKA (APPLE SPONGE)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350.
• Place the caster sugar, flour and eggs into a bowl and whisk together to make a thick smooth batter.
• Grease and flour a deep baking dish and arrange all the apple slices to cover the bottom of the dish.
• Spoon the batter mixture over the top and transfer to the oven to bake for 30-40 minutes. (To check if the sponge is ready, insert a skewer into the top of the sponge, if it comes out sticky, return to the oven to cook for another 5 minutes.).