An apple cake with a difference. Sliced apples are coated in a sweet syrup, baked until soft, then drizzled with a gorgeous golden syrup custard.
Serve it as a dessert cake, perfect for guests with intolerances to wheat or gluten.
Looking for more apple desserts?
Slices of the apple cake topped with the golden syrup custard and a drizzle of cream.
Ingredients
Golden syrup custard
Method
1.Preheat oven to 180C. Grease a 20cm springform pan; line base with baking paper. Place pan on a baking-paper-lined shallow oven tray.
2.Split vanilla bean in half; remove seeds. Place seeds and bean in a medium saucepan with cinnamon, sugar, juices and butter; stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Bring to the boil; simmer for 5 minutes until reduced slightly. Transfer to a large bowl.
3.Working with two apples at a time, peel and core eight of the apples; using a mandoline or sharp knife, cut apples into 3mm slices. Add sliced apple to syrup in bowl; toss to coat in syrup (this prevents the apple from discolouring). Remove apple slices from syrup with a slotted spoon. Arrange slices in springform pan, overlapping each slice by half. Cover the centre with smaller slices to create a tight fit. Press firmly on apples twice during layering, pouring any excess liquid back into the bowl.
4.Peel remaining apples leaving stems intact. Using a mandoline, cut apples lengthways, including through core; remove seeds. Coat slices lightly in remaining syrup. Arrange overlapping slices in pan. Cover pan with baking paper, then with foil.
5.Bake apple cake for 1 hour; remove foil and baking paper. Reduce oven to 140C, bake a further 1 hour or until apple is soft and a knife can easily be inserted into the layers, brushing occasionally with some of the remaining cooking liquid. Cool to room temperature.
6.Cover surface of apple cake with baking paper; cover pan with plastic wrap. Refrigerate 4 hours or until cold and firm.
7.Meanwhile, make **golden syrup custard**. Split vanilla bean in half; remove seeds. Add seeds and bean to a medium saucepan with milk and cream; stir over medium heat until almost boiling. Remove from heat; stir in golden syrup. Whisk egg yolks and sugar in a medium heatproof bowl; gradually whisk in hot milk mixture. Return to pan; stir over low heat for 3 minutes or until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Strain custard into a bowl; cover surface with plastic wrap. Cool. Whisk mascarpone in a medium bowl until smooth; gradually whisk in custard.
8.To serve, run a knife around the apple cake and a hot cloth around the outside of the pan. Remove ring. Slide the base of a round tart pan under the cake; transfer it carefully onto a serving plate, removing the tart pan base as you place it on the plate. Stand cake at room temperature for 1 hour. Brush top with golden syrup; serve with golden syrup custard.
It is best to use a serrated knife to cut this cake. The cake and custard can be made a day ahead; keep covered, in the fridge.
Note
