About 23 years ago, we lived in Murchison. Murchison is close to the convergence of a number of rivers, and surrounded by yet more rivers and river valleys. From Murchison, nearly every direction is "up the .....[.river]." There was a farming family "up the Owen" whom we visited several times. On one occassion, they served this lovely apple nut cake, and kindly shared the recipe. This week I decided to see if I could make this cake without gluten or dairy. Both options below.
Ingredients:
125g butter OR 1/2 cup coconut oil
1 cup sugar
2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 cups stewed unsweetened apples (I used my applesauce, and reduced the sugar to 3/4 cup)
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
2 TBSP cocoa
1/2 tsp mixed spice
1/2 tsp cinnamon (I reduced to 1/4 tsp as there is some in the applesauce)
2 cups plain flour OR 2 cups all purpose gluten free flour blend
1 tsp cream of tartar
125g butter OR 1/2 cup coconut oil
1 cup sugar
2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 cups stewed unsweetened apples (I used my applesauce, and reduced the sugar to 3/4 cup)
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
2 TBSP cocoa
1/2 tsp mixed spice
1/2 tsp cinnamon (I reduced to 1/4 tsp as there is some in the applesauce)
2 cups plain flour OR 2 cups all purpose gluten free flour blend
1 tsp cream of tartar
Method:
The applesauce needs to be warm, so gently warm in a pot if it's not.
Cream butter or oil and sugar. Dissolve 1 1/2 tsp bakingsoda in the warm apples and add them to the creamed mixture with raisins, walnuts, cocoa, and spices. Stir well.
Mix together flour, remaining 1/2 tsp baking soda and cream of tartar, then stire into the apple mix.
Bake in a greased, floured 20cm tin at 180C/350F for 45 mins. Leave to cool in tin before removing and icing.
Icing: 1 tsp vanilla essense, 1 TBSP sherry/brandy/wine (optional), knob butter or a little coconut oil, icing sugar, hot water to mix.
The applesauce needs to be warm, so gently warm in a pot if it's not.
Cream butter or oil and sugar. Dissolve 1 1/2 tsp bakingsoda in the warm apples and add them to the creamed mixture with raisins, walnuts, cocoa, and spices. Stir well.
Mix together flour, remaining 1/2 tsp baking soda and cream of tartar, then stire into the apple mix.
Bake in a greased, floured 20cm tin at 180C/350F for 45 mins. Leave to cool in tin before removing and icing.
Icing: 1 tsp vanilla essense, 1 TBSP sherry/brandy/wine (optional), knob butter or a little coconut oil, icing sugar, hot water to mix.