A slice of sweetness: Niki Louca shares her beloved Apple Cake recipe

Niki Louca from My Greek Kitchen shares her favourite recipe for Apple Cake with The Greek Herald. You can follow her on Instagram @mygreekkitchen for more!

Ingredients:

• 150 g plain flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 125 g butter, softened
• 100 g sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp dark rum
• *50 ml milk
• *3 large apples, peeled and cut into 3cm pieces
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• Icing sugar to dust

*can be made dairy free by omitting the milk and using poached apples instead.  I have tried both ways and both are nice.  I peel, quarter, and then cut each quarter into 3 slices, and poach them for only 3-4 minutes so they still have a bite to them.  You don’t want them to be mushy.  Use any sweet apples you have but NOT granny smith (they are too tart).  I like using pink lady ones.  Once they’re done, cool them down completely and cut them in half.

Method:

1.  Preheat your oven to 160C and line a 20cm baking tin with baking paper.  Base and sides.
2. Sift your flour and baking powder – set aside.
3. Using a hand held electric mixer, beat the sugar and softened butter till pale and creamy.  Add the eggs one at a time, making sure you beat them well after each one.  Add your vanilla and beat that through.
4. Fold your flour and baking powder mixture into the butter/sugar mixture, milk and finally your apples.  If you are using poached apples be gentle as you don’t want to break them and don’t forget to omit the milk.
5. Transfer to your baking tin and sprinkle the cinnamon on top.  Bake for approximately 30-35 minutes (till golden brown)making sure a skewer comes out clean when inserted into the centre of the cake.  Remove from the oven and allow to sit in the pan for 5-10 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
6. Once cooled, transfer to your platter and dust with icing sugar.  Serve as is or with a dollop of cream.

Niki Louca runs cooking classes in Melbourne. For more or to book classes visit My Greek Kitchen at www.mygreekkitchen.com.au or Instagram @mygreekkitchen. You can email Niki at: niki@mygreekkitchen.com.au.