Somerset Apple Cake

Ingredients

• Demerara sugar (2 tablespoons for topping)
• Milk (1/2 cup)
• Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon)
• Eggs (2, large)
• Granulated sugar (1 cup)
• Unsalted butter (1/2 cup, softened)
• Salt (1/2 teaspoon)
• Baking powder (2 teaspoons)
• All-purpose flour (2 cups)
• Lemon juice (1 tablespoon)
• Apples (2 cups, peeled, cored and diced)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.
2. In a bowl, toss the diced apples with the lemon juice to prevent browning and set aside.
3. In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures the baking powder and salt are evenly distributed throughout the flour.
4. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This should take about 3 to 5 minutes with an electric mixer on medium speed.
5. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract.
6. Gradually beat in the flour mixture alternately with the milk, starting and ending with the flour. Be careful not to overmix the batter as this can make the cake tough.
7. Gently fold in the apples into the batter using a spatula, ensuring they're evenly distributed.
8. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with the spatula. Sprinkle the demerara sugar evenly over the top.
9. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
10. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. The cake is best served at room temperature.