Dutch Apple Cake

Recipe by Rachel Allen from Rachel Allen Bake!

This cake has been made at Ballymaloe for years. We even have guests who ask for it specifically every time they visit. The fruit sinks to the bottom as it cooks, leaving a light sponge on top with a lovely sugary crust. Makes 12-16 squares.

Ingredients
  • 2 eggs
  • 175g (6oz) caster sugar, plus 15g (1/2oz) extra sugar, for sprinkling
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • (3oz) butter
  • 75ml (2 ½ fl oz) milk
  • 125g (4 ½ oz) plain flour
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon
  • 2 ¼ tsp baking powder
  • 2 small (or 1 large) cooking apples
  • 75ml (2 ½ fl oz) double cream, to serve
Method
  • Preheat the oven to 200ºC (400ºF), Gas mark 6. Line the sides and base of the cake tin (20 x 20cm (8 x 8in) square cake tin) with parchment paper.
  • Using an electric whisk, whisk the eggs, 175g (6oz) caster sugar and vanilla extract in a large bowl until the mixture is thick and mousse-like and the whisk leaves a figure of eight pattern (this will take about 5 minutes).
  • Melt the butter in a saucepan with the milk, then pour onto the eggs, whisking all the time. Sift in the flour, cinnamon and baking powder and fold carefully into the batter so that there are no lumps of flour. Pour the mixture into the prepared tin and smooth the surface.
  • Peel and core the apples and cut into thin slices, then arrange them over the batter. They will sink to the bottom (this is meant to happen!). Sprinkle with the remaining sugar and bake in the oven for 10 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 180ºC (350ºF), Gas mark 4 and bake for a further 20–25 minutes or until well risen and golden brown.
  • Allow to cool in the tin, cut into squares and serve warm. It is delicious with cream!
Notes And Tips

VARIATION
Raspberry and pear: Instead of the cinnamon, mix the finely grated zest of 1 orange into the batter. Instead of the apples, sink 100g (31/2oz) fresh or frozen raspberries and thin slices of 2 pears into the batter and cook in the same way.

What Do You Think?
  • Mrs
    Mrs 10 months ago
    I have made this cake and believe me when i say, that it is easy and delicious. She has the best recipes and yes, simple and easy instructions to follow. THANKYOU RACHEL.
    Reply to this comment
    • ozirish
      ozirish 2 months ago
      watched rachel today in australia it was the soda bread recipe................who knew you could do all that with plain old soda bread.....advertising for next week here for the dutch apple cake but could i wait.no....just got the recipe now hubby off to get me eggs as i had run out....i find when i watch rachel on tele want to bake as soon as show over ha ha...she is beautiful and so explanatory ........it does help that i came from n ireland originally and now live in oz....great she has done so well ..truly well deserved.............my kind of cook
  • KC172
    KC172 10 months ago
    Watched this last night ... looks too easy. can't wait to make. Hopefully the kids will luv it.
    Reply to this comment
  • MH119
    MH119 10 months ago
    Absolutely fantastic! I have now made this cake twice. Glad to read that the apples sink! I was a little worried about my cake. However, the sponge topping was delicious. this will become an all time favourite in our house.
    Reply to this comment
  • EFRAT
    EFRAT 9 months ago
    I think that Rachel has the best baking recipes .T-H-A-N-K-S!!!!!
    Reply to this comment
  • Winnish
    Winnish 6 months ago
    Made this cake last week with plums, and it was delicious! I'm planning to make it again tomorrow
    Reply to this comment
  • TDT
    TDT 4 months ago
    I have made this cake substituting the plain flour with Doves Farm gluten free flour and it still works beautifully. It is a really light sponge and doesn't last long in our house! FANTASTIC!
    Reply to this comment
  • Janet97
    Janet97 2 months ago
    Just a question about oven temperatures. Does this take into considaration the use of fan assisted ovens or do I need to reduce them a few degrees? My cake is in te oven now so I hope I have got it right!
    Reply to this comment
  • Thea11
    Thea11 2 months ago
    Saw this yesterday and love the look of it. I will try it at the weekend. Being Dutch probably peaked my interest.
    Reply to this comment
  • kags ek
    kags ek 2 months ago
    just going to try this recipe since its such a hit............cant wait!!!! thanx rachel
    Reply to this comment
  • BG53
    BG53 21 days ago
    is in the oven as I speak/type. Rachel is so down to earth and so pleasing to watch, great shows.
    Reply to this comment
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