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Somerset Apple Cake Recipe is one of my all-time favourite things to make. It’s easy to make and has a lovely warming autumnal feel too it. Perfect if you have lots of windfall cooking apples that need using up or have been given some by a friend or relative and aren’t sure what to do with them.
When I first started training as a chef, this Somerset Apple Cake was one of the first recipes I learned to make. I have a very sweet tooth and took and have always loved making cakes and makes.
Of course, my bosses wanted to encourage this, so gradually it became my responsibility to make all the desserts we needed throughout the week. It was something I really enjoyed doing and I look back on those times with fond memories.
This one also holds a special place in my heart as it was critiqued by a food critic during a visit to the pub for part of a competition we were in. He very much enjoyed it and I still have the newspaper cut-out of his write up.
The pub also went on to win the competition and was crowned best food pub in the South West for two years running. Again fond memories of my time there and the team I worked with.
Somerset Apple Cake Recipe
One of the best things about this Apple Cake Recipe is that it’s super simple to make. Once you’ve made it once or twice it’s an easy recipe to remember.
The cake it produces is moist and laden with chunks of juice apple the sharpness of which are countered by serving it warm with cream or custard. If you prefer a sweet cake you may wish to use dessert apples instead of cooking apples.
The spices used give the cake a dark appearance and typically I would serve this cake as a dessert, warm with custard or cream. However, it is also yummy eaten cold.
Somerset Apple Cake can easily be reheated in the microwave.
Preparing the Apples
When it comes to preparing the apples for this recipe there are a couple of ways to go about it. First, you could peel and chop the apples before getting started and leave them in some water and lemon juice while you prepare the cake batter.
Alternatively, you can peel them after you’ve made the cake batter and add the chunks to the cake mix as you go. Either of these works well.
I have used cooking apples in this recipe although you use any other apple of your choice. If using smaller apples, such as dessert apples, you may need a few more than the recipe states as they do tend to be smaller. As a guide once peeled and chopped, the apples I used for this recipe weighed 400 grams.
What To Bake It In
I used a round 8-inch spring loaded tin* for but a square tin would work just as well. You could also use a loaf tin for this recipe although I would advise splitting the mixture between two loaf tins and baking for a little longer.
Appliances can vary quite a bit so you may find your Apple Cake takes a little longer to bake than the times suggested below.
Can I freeze Somerset Apple Cake?
Yes, this cake freezes very well. Ensure the apple cake is fully cooled before freezing wrapped in cling film or foil or in a zip-lock bag or Tupperware container. It will keep in the freezer for up to four months. Always remember to label and anything you’re freezing. I prefer to freeze the cake in portions.
