Gluten Free Apple Cake

Ingredients

• 250 grams Unsalted butter (room temperature)
• 250 grams Sugar
• 4 Large Eggs (Room temperature)
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
• 250 grams Gluten free All purpose flour
• 2 1/2 teaspoons Baking powder (Be sure to use gluten free baking powder as some brands may contain gluten.)
• 1/4 teaspoon Xanthan gum (Omit if the flour blend already contains xanthan gum.)
• 1/4 teaspoon Salt
• 4 large Apples
• 4 tablespoons Lemon juice (or juice from 1 fresh lemon)
• 50 grams unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons Brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons Apricot Jam (For brushing over the baked apples.)

Instructions

1. 1

   --- How to make gluten free apple cake ---

2. 2

   Prepare the cake tin, line the bottom with parchment paper, and line or grease the sides. Then, preheat the oven to 180°C/325°F/Gas Mark 3.

3. 3

   In a large bowl beat sugar and butter together until smooth and fluffy, Incorporate eggs and vanilla and mix well.

4. 4

   In a separate bowl combine flour, salt, baking powder, and xanthan gum. Combine the wet mix with the dry ingredients and whisk until the batter is smooth and free of lumps.

5. 5

   Transfer the cake batter to your pre-prepared baking tin and set aside to rest while preparing the apples for the topping.

6. 6

   --- Apple rose topping ---

7. 7

   Remove the core and cut the apples in half. Thinly slice the apples into pieces that are approximately 1/8 inch thick.

8. 8

   Place the apple slices into a microwave-safe bowl and add the lemon juice, butter, and sugar. Mix together until the apple slices are fully coated.

9. 9

   Put the bowl containing the apples in the microwave and heat for 3-4 minutes, pausing halfway through to stir. The apple slices should have softened in the microwave and be flexible for bending into a curved shape.

10. 10

    --- Assembling the gluten free apple cake ---

11. 11

    To start, place the larger apple slices upright at the outer edges of the cake tin, gently pressing them into the cake batter and overlapping them halfway. Continue around the cake tin until you have created a full circle of overlapping apple slices.

12. 12

    For the next row of apple slices, place them in front of where the previous apple slices have joined slices, and continue this process until you have reached a point where there is a ½ inch of space in the center of the cake.

13. 13

    Take 1-2 apple slices and overlap them slightly on a flat surface to form a row. Roll the slices tightly together to create a small apple rose, then place it at the center of the cake.

14. 14

    Place the apple cake in the oven and bake it for approximately 40 minutes. Use a skewer to test for doneness, and if it comes out clean, transfer the baking tin to a cooling rack.

15. 15

    While the apple cake is cooling but still warm. Slightly warm the apricot jam in the microwave for a few seconds and brush over the top of the apple slices this will give the apples a lovely glaze.

16. 16

    Leave the cake to cool before serving and dust with powdered sugar if preferred.