The Ultimate Apple Sponge Recipe: A Deliciously Easy Bake

Apples and sponge cake – a classic combination that never fails to delight. This recipe delivers a moist, tender sponge cake bursting with the warm, comforting flavors of apple. Perfect for afternoon tea, a casual dessert, or even a special occasion, this apple sponge is guaranteed to impress.

Ingredients You'll Need:

This recipe uses readily available ingredients, making it perfect for even beginner bakers.

For the Sponge:

• 175g (6oz) self-raising flour
• 175g (6oz) caster sugar
• 175g (6oz) unsalted butter, softened
• 4 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Apple Filling:

• 2-3 medium apples (Bramley or similar cooking apples are ideal), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Let's get baking! This recipe is straightforward and easy to follow.

1. Preparing the Apples:

• Toss the thinly sliced apples with lemon juice, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl. This prevents browning and adds a delicious flavour boost.

2. Making the Sponge:

• Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan/Gas Mark 4). Grease and flour a 20cm (8 inch) round baking tin. This ensures your sponge releases easily.
• Cream together the softened butter and caster sugar until light and fluffy. A stand mixer or electric hand mixer works best for this step.
• Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add the vanilla extract.
• Gently fold in the self-raising flour until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in a tough sponge.

3. Assembling and Baking:

• Pour half of the sponge mixture into the prepared tin.
• Spread the apple mixture evenly over the sponge.
• Pour the remaining sponge mixture over the apples.
• Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.

4. Cooling and Serving:

• Let the apple sponge cool in the tin for 10 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely.
• Once cooled, dust with icing sugar (optional) and serve. Enjoy!

Tips for the Perfect Apple Sponge:

• Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your butter and eggs are at room temperature for optimal creaming.
• Don't Overmix: Overmixing the batter will result in a tough sponge. Mix until just combined.
• Apple Variety: Bramley apples are ideal for their tartness, but you can experiment with other cooking apples.
• Adjust Sweetness: Adjust the amount of brown sugar in the apple filling to your preference.

Variations to Try:

• Spiced Apple Sponge: Add a pinch of nutmeg or ginger to the apple filling for an extra warming flavor.
• Apple and Blackberry Sponge: Combine apples with blackberries for a delicious fruity twist.
• Apple and Crumble Topping: Add a crumble topping for extra texture and crunch.

This recipe provides a delicious and satisfying apple sponge experience. Remember to adjust to your taste preferences and enjoy the process! Happy baking!

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