Apple & Cinnamon Loaf Cake

Ingredients

• 100 g butter (softened)
• 120 g white sugar
• 2 eggs (medium)
• 180 g plain flour
• 1.5 tsp baking powder
• 120 ml milk (for the cake batter)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 150 g green apple (peeled and diced; choose an apple with a nice sweet and tangy flavor)
• 50 g soft dark brown sugar
• 1.5 tsp ground cinnamon
• 3 tbsp icing sugar (for the icing)
• milk (a drop, added to the icing until it reaches a slightly runny consistency)

Steps

1. 1

   Preheat a conventional oven to 175°C/350°F. Grease and line a 2-pound loaf tin, approximately 8 × 4 × 3 inches, with baking parchment.

2. 2

   Place the softened butter and white sugar in a mixing bowl. Beat until pale, smooth, and well combined.

3. 3

   Add the two medium eggs and beat until incorporated. If the mixture looks slightly curdled, it will come together when the flour is added.

4. 4

   Add the plain flour and baking powder. Mix gently until just combined, taking care not to overmix the batter.

5. 5

   Add the milk and vanilla extract. Stir until the batter is smooth and evenly mixed.

6. 6

   Add the peeled, diced green apple, soft dark brown sugar, and cinnamon. Fold gently so the apple is distributed throughout the batter without breaking it down.

7. 7

   Transfer the batter to the prepared loaf tin and spread the top level with a spatula.

8. 8

   Bake for 50–55 minutes, checking at 50 minutes by inserting a skewer or thin knife into the center. The cake is ready when the tester comes out clean or with only a few moist crumbs.

9. 9

   Allow the loaf to cool in the tin briefly, then transfer it to a wire rack and let it cool completely before icing.

10. 10

    To make the icing, place the icing sugar in a small bowl. Add a drop of milk and stir, adding only enough additional milk to produce a slightly runny consistency.

11. 11

    Drizzle the icing over the cooled apple and cinnamon loaf. Slice and serve.

Notes

Use a sweet-tangy green apple as recommended by the creator. Bake in a conventional oven, not a fan oven, at the stated temperature. Cool the loaf completely before drizzling so the icing does not melt away.

Nutrition per serving

• dessert
• cake
• loaf cake
• baked
• apple
• vegetarian
• family-friendly
• afternoon tea