Mini apple loaf cakes

We have some leftover apples and they remain one of my favourite ingredients even though I'm supremely lazy and hate prepping them. This one is heavily adapted beyond recognition from one of my favourite cupcake books Divine Cupcakes (Tamara Jane). The original makes 24 Orange and Poppy Seed Cupcakes... neither are a featuring ingredient!

Makes 12 mini loafs (Lakeland mini loaf pan) or 12 cupcakes.

Ingredients:

150g plain flour

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

125g unsalted butter

zest of one lemon

112g caster sugar

2 eggs

125g ground almonds

1/4 cup milk

1/4 cup apple juice

1 peeled and diced apple

Optionals:

- scattering of flaked almonds or pine nuts

- apple juice (half cup or so)

- mascapone frosting (below)
- sliced apple dipped in lemon juice to decorate

Method:

Cream butter, zest and sugar together.
Add the eggs gradually (and add spoons of flour to prevent curdling.)
Fold in ground almonds.
Add flour and milk and apple juice in turns and gently stir in.
Fold in diced apple.
Scoop into tins and smooth gently (grease or line with parchment paper, my tins were non-stick with removable bases so I took a risk and it was okay without.)
Scatter over almonds or pine nuts if desired.
Bake in a preheated 180degC oven for 20-25 minutes.
Cool and eat as is, with a dollop of greek yogurt and honey or with some frosting on top if we're in a fancy mood.
NOTE: This makes a relatively plain cake and I prefer a more apply taste which I achieved by stabbing it with a skewer and drizzling teaspoons of apple juice over the top whilst it was still warm (much like a lemon drizzle cake) - the amount is a judgement call, but about two or three teaspoons per cake should do it. On another day I might add a streusel topping or cinnamon.

Mascapone frosting:

Ingredients:

120ml double cream

120g mascapone

100g icing sugar (sieved)
Dash of apple juice/milk

Method:

Beat mascapone and icing sugar together. Add a little apple juice or milk to loosen.
Whisk cream until soft peak stage and fold through the mascapone mixture
Note: Recipe for mascapone covers about 8 or 9 of the loafs depending on how much you want to put on. This might be weird because I should write a recipe for the 12, however I *mumble* always end up eating some cakes when they are warm, and also I'd much rather have less frosting than more. Multiple it if you need more or just put a little less on :)

Comments

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