Ingredients
For the apple topping
- 90g butter (salted or unsalted)
- 100g packed soft dark brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2-3 Jazz Apples, peeled and thinly sliced
For the cake
- 190g plain flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 120g unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 100g granulated sugar
- 100g soft dark brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 90ml whole or non-dairy milk, at room temperature
Method
- Preheat the oven to 180 C/160 C fan/gas mark 4.
- To prepare the topping, combine the butter and brown sugar in a small saucepan and heat on medium until the butter has melted, stirring occasionally. Once the mixture comes to a gentle boil, continue to cook for 1 minute, whisking constantly, until it begins to thicken.
- Remove the caramel sauce from the heat and stir in the vanilla and cinnamon, then pour into a 23cm round baking dish (a deep dish is best to avoid any overflow). Arrange the apple slices in concentric circles- starting from the outside- gently overlapping the slices.
- Place the baking dish in the fridge while preparing the cake batter to help set the topping before baking. 5) Combine the flour, baking powder, spices, and salt in a bowl and whisk together well. Set aside. In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter on high for about a minute using a handheld mixer, until smooth and creamy. You can also use a stand mixer if you have one.
- Next, add both granulated and brown sugars and whisk on high for another minute until creamed together with the butter, then whisk in the eggs and vanilla as well. Use a spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Pour the dry ingredients into the wet and mix on low while slowly pouring in the milk. Mix just until the dry ingredients are incorporated into the wet, without over-mixing. You can scrape down the sides again and whisk a little more by hand to make sure the batter is completely smooth and free of lumps. The batter should be thick and fluffy
- Remove the baking dish from the fridge and spoon the cake batter evenly on top of the apples, smoothing the top with a spoon or spatula. Bake for 40-50 minutes until the top is a deep golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean. If the cake is browning too quickly, cover with a piece of tented foil to keep it from burning while it continues baking.
- Remove the cake from the oven and cool on a wire rack for 15-20 minutes before inverting onto a cake stand or serving plate. Allow the cake to cool completely before serving.

