Mary Berry Apple And Sultana Cake​ Recipe

This easy Mary Berry Apple and Sultana Cake is made with a simple all-in-one cake batter of self-raising flour, caster sugar, and softened butter. The result is a wonderfully moist and light sponge with sweet sultanas and tender pieces of apple. This recipe is perfect for a comforting afternoon tea or a cozy weeknight dessert, serving up to 8 people.

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Mary Berry Apple and Sultana Cake Ingredients

• 225g self-raising flour
• 175g unsalted butter, softened
• 175g caster sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 100g sultanas
• 2 cooking apples, peeled, cored, and grated
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• Icing sugar, for dusting

How To Make Mary Berry Apple and Sultana Cake

1. Prepare the oven and cake tin: Preheat your oven to 160°C (325°F). Lightly grease and line a deep 20cm (8-inch) loose-bottomed cake tin with baking parchment.
2. Make the batter: In a large bowl, place the softened butter, caster sugar, eggs, self-raising flour, and cinnamon. Beat the mixture with an electric mixer for about 2 minutes until it is thoroughly combined and smooth.
3. Add the fruit: Gently fold the grated apples and sultanas into the cake batter. Squeeze out any excess moisture from the grated apple before adding it to prevent the cake from becoming too wet.
4. Bake the cake: Spoon the batter into the prepared tin and level the surface with a spatula. Bake for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until the cake is well-risen and golden brown. A skewer inserted into the center should come out clean.
5. Cool and serve: Leave the cake to cool in the tin for a few minutes before turning it out onto a wire rack. Dust with icing sugar just before serving.

Recipe Tips

• Use the “all-in-one” method: This recipe is a classic “all-in-one” cake, meaning you can just add all the ingredients to the bowl and beat them together. This method is quick and easy, making it a great recipe for beginners.
• Squeeze the grated apples: This is a crucial step! Squeezing the grated apple to remove excess liquid will prevent your cake from becoming soggy and dense.
• The right apples matter: For this cake, a good cooking apple like a Bramley or Granny Smith works best. Their tartness and firm texture provide a nice contrast to the sweet sultanas.
• Don’t overmix: Be careful not to overmix the batter. Overmixing can result in a tough, dense cake. Just beat until the ingredients are just combined and smooth.

What To Serve Apple and Sultana Cake

This simple, rustic cake is perfect on its own with a cup of tea or coffee. For a more decadent dessert, serve a warm slice with a dollop of fresh whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a drizzle of warm custard. It’s a versatile cake that pairs well with simple, creamy accompaniments.

How To Store Apple and Sultana Cake Leftovers

• Refrigerate: Store the cooled cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. It will stay moist and delicious.
• Freeze: The baked and cooled cake can be frozen for up to 3 months. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in a layer of aluminum foil. To serve, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before bringing it to room temperature.

Mary Berry Apple and Sultana Cake Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 400 kcal
• Total Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 11g
• Cholesterol: 90mg
• Sodium: 210mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 55g
• Dietary Fiber: 2g
• Sugars: 38g
• Protein: 5g

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I use raisins instead of sultanas? Yes, you can substitute raisins for sultanas. Both are dried grapes, but sultanas are a bit sweeter and more plump. However, raisins will work just fine in this recipe.
• Why did my sultanas sink to the bottom of the cake? This can happen if your sultanas are too moist or if the cake batter is too thin. To prevent this, you can lightly toss the sultanas in a tablespoon of flour before folding them into the batter.
• My cake is browning too quickly on top. What should I do? If you notice the top browning too fast, you can cover the cake loosely with a piece of aluminum foil for the remaining baking time. This will protect the top while allowing the inside to cook.

Try More Recipes:

• Mary Berry​ Toffee Apple Cake Recipe
• Mary Berry Apple And Lemon Cake​ Recipe
• Mary Berry​ Apple And Blackberry Cake Recipe