Grandmothers crumble cake

One of the things I like most about changing my working week to give me a day off is that whilst the bearded one is busy with school runs and other work related errands I get to have a bit of a lazy start to my day, which usually starts with a cup of tea in bed, a cuddle with the furry paws and a chapter of my latest read. 

I also use this day to turn into the domestic goddess that I am not and get the household chores done.  Whilst others are out of the house and with clean sheets on beds, washing out on the line and all the other things that domesticity entails to bring harmony to the nest once more completed I get the chance to occasionally turn my hand to a bit of baking.  This is definitely not where my forte lies I am a very basic baker and for the most part can produce something edible and when I do I like to share my small triumph with you.

I am sure we are all familiar with upside down cakes, I'm sure most of us of a certain age will of produced one of these in domestic science or home economics whilst at school, with either peaches or pineapple on the top. Why they couldn't just call it cookery I don't know because I don't remember doing anything other than cookery in those lessons. I think it was supposed to teach us how to run a home, look after children and of course most importantly our husbands, I think I must of been off sick that day.

We were one of those old fashioned families that lived with our grandmother, she was a widow and very much the matriarch of the family.  As we had a cooked meal at school my grandmother had quite a thing about high tea which always included cakes, scones or other types of buns as well as sandwiches and sausage rolls and eggs wrapped in sausage meat and breadcrumbs, the name of which escapes me, and all home made for when we got home from school, and a big pot of tea using leaves not tea bags and proper cups and saucers no mugs allowed thank you. She used to tell us it was her best china and I was always terrified I would break one, it was years later after she'd died that I found out it wasn't but I suppose she was trying to instill in us good manors even then.

Anyhow one of the cakes I always used to like to make with my grandmother other than an upside down cake was a crumble cake. It is a really simple cake to make and I make it with either pears, apple or apple and blackberry.

The crumble topping you will need:

• 115g/4oz of self raising flour
• 85g/3oz butter
• 85g/3oz caster sugar
• 1/2 tsp of cinnamon or ginger (optional)

Pre heat the oven to 180C/150F/Gas mark 4

In a bowl I rub together the flour and butter till it looks like breadcrumbs and then add the sugar and cinnamon or ginger if using and give it a stir so its mixed well and then put it in the fridge to firm up a bit.

For the cake mixture you will need:

• 450g/1 lb of cooking apples (that normally equates to 1 or 2 reasonable sized apples
• 175g/6oz of self raising flour
• pinch of salt
• 115g/4oz butter
• 115g/4oz caster sugar
• 2 eggs (beaten)
• 1-2 tbsp of milk

In a large bowl cream together the butter and sugar, gradually add the beaten egg one at a time adding a table spoon of the flour with the last bit of egg and now mix well. 

Add the remaining flour and pinch of salt and mix. Once combined add the milk and stir till combined. 

Grease and line a 7-9" loose bottom cake tin.  

Spoon the cake mixture into the tin and leave to one side.

Peel and core the apples or pears and cut into thin slices and lay the slices over the cake mixture pressing slightly down into the mixture.  To finish off sprinkle over the crumble topping and bake in the oven for approximately one hour until firm and the topping is golden brown.  Leave in the tin to cool for a few minutes before releasing from the tin and allowing to cool on a cooling rack.  

The biggest issue with this cake is it doesn't last long, by which I mean it gets eaten not goes off. The bearded one likes to eat it whilst its still warm and usually with custard, not sure what my grandmother would make of that. 

Have a good week one & all

Mx