Easy Apple Cake

• I have had a huge harvest of Bramley apples this year, so am always looking for different recipes from my standard favourite one.
• This is based on an American idea with just a free form base and slightly raised sides.
• It has been adapted to make a it more like a Polish apple cake  –  jabłecznik.
• I have tried it several times and two secrets are:
• 1) NOT have too much pastry and
• 2) NOT to have loads of filling.
• The pastry should be rolled out until it is thin.

Ingredients – pastry

• 200g flour
• 100g butter
• 1 egg yolk
• Juice of 1 lemon
• *
• 1 egg yolk – use it all – for sealing
• *
• 1 egg white – beaten
• 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar

Ingredients – filling

• 2 large Bramley apples
• 75g raisins or sultanas
• 75g granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground mixed spice
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
• *
• Icing sugar to dust – optional

Method – filling

• Peel and core the apples and chop them into small pieces.
• Add the raisins, sugar and spices.
• Mix together and leave to one side.

Method – pastry

• Rub the butter into the flour until like breadcrumbs.
• Add the egg yolk and lemon juice and mix to a soft dough.
• Add more water sparingly if necessary.
• *
• Wrap in plastic and leave in the fridge for 30 minutes.
• *
• Butter / Grease a large baking sheet.
• Pre-heat the oven to GM6 – 200°C.
• *
• Roll out the pastry thinly until you have a rough circle around 25cm.
• Place the pastry onto the sheet.
• Brush the egg yolk over a circle round 25cm in diameter.
• Pile up the filling onto the circle.
• Bring up the sides of the pastry.
• Brush the sides with the egg white.
• Sprinkle on the tablespoon of granulated sugar.
• *
• Bake for 30-35 minutes until the pastry is golden.
• Leave to cool on a wire rack.
• *
• Sprinkle with icing sugar before serving.