If I Knew You Were Coming I'd Have Baked .... an Apple Cake

We're as deeply into the Olympics here as anyone, with the swimming a particular highlight. Back in 2000, dearest husband and I were very spoiled and got to the final day of swimming at the Sydney Olympics, when Grant Hackett won his first 1500m gold. Ever since, I love watching these hard men of the pool as they churn through the swimming equivalent of a marathon. So there was no question that we would be glued to the box to see if he could take out his third consecutive gold. And seeing the amazing Michael Phelps crowned with his final gold was another highlight - if only he were swimming for Australia! Too bad Hackett just missed out (although silver is great too), but it was a fantastic race. If only it went for 1550m I think Hackett might have won...

A friend dropped in to help us cheer, and I decided that cake was required. Mid-winter means lots of lovely crunchy Granny Smith apples, and as the Granny Smith apple is Australian, it felt a good way to support the Hackett campaign (OK I'm stretching; I just like the cake). So here is an easy peasy apple cake adapted from "Modern Classics 2" by Donna Hay.



Apple and Cinnamon Tea Cake
adapted from "Modern Classics 2" by Donna Hay

185g butter, softened

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

2/3 cup caster sugar

3 eggs

1 1/2 cups plain flour

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/3 cup milk

4 small Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and halved

1 tbl sugar

1/2 tsp cinnamon

Line the base of a 22cm (8 inch) springform tin with baking paper.

Preheat oven to 160C. Beat butter, sugar and cinnamon until light and creamy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each one. Sift the flour and baking powder over the butter mixture, and add the milk. Stir to combine.

Spoon mixture into tin. Cut a row of deep slits into each apple, and arrange the apples on top of the cake. Combine the sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle on top. Bake for 1 hour or until cooked when tested with a skewer. Serve warm with cream.