Monday, September 26, 2011

Apple and lemon cakes

Apple and lemon cakes / Bolinhos de limão siciliano e maçã

No inspiration for today’s post. Not one ounce of it. But please do not let that keep you from baking these cakes: they’re delicious and oh, so tender.

Apple and lemon cakes
adapted from Donna Hay’s apricot cakes

125g unsalted butter, softened
1 cup + 1 ½ tablespoons (218g) granulated sugar + a little extra for sprinkling
finely grated zest of 2 lemons
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 eggs
1 ½ cups (210g) all purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
pinch of salt
1 large apple

Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F. Butter six 1-cup (240ml) capacity mini cake pans.
Place butter, sugar, lemon zest and vanilla in the large bowl of an electric mixer and beat until light and fluffy. Add the juice, then the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Scrape the sides of the bowl.
Sift the flour, baking powder and salt over the mixture in the bowl and stir to combine.
Divide batter equally among the prepared pans.
Slice the apple in half, remove the core and seeds, then slice each half in 9 thin wedges. Arrange 3 slices over each cake. Sprinkle with the extra sugar. Bake 20-25 minutes or until risen and golden and a skewer inserted in the center of the cakes comes out clean. Cool in the pans, over a wire rack, for 15 minutes, then carefully unmold. Cool completely over the wire rack.

Makes 6

8 comments:

  1. Just beautiful! Perfect for autumn. I've been making apple spice muffins that aren't half so pretty. Thanks for the inspiration : )

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  2. I don't usually see lemon mixed with apple for a fall flavor. I'm sold! I'm including lemon in the apple baklava I'm planning. Thanks for the idea!

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  3. Lovely little cakes...they certainly sounds delicious! And, of course, I love Donna! :)

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  4. Scrumptious cakes, lovely combo..

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  5. I certainly have no inspiration days, too. For me they're called no post days. I like how you neatly side-stepped inspiration and went straight to the heart of the post with these beautiful cakes. Gorgeous photo!

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  6. The pictures are inspiration by themselves...have I mentioned the smiles on my kids' faces when they try this...Inspiration? It's everywhere. Thanks for the post!

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  7. Oh! They look so gorgeous and yummy... Apple cakes are my favourite.

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