Dear LPG,

I found this recipe at the back of a cupboard that I was clearing out and decided to give it a go, although there is a bit of sugar in it and, now days, no one is coming to visit for tea.  Most of the friends that I have been talking to lately keep telling me that finding something different to do each day helps to keep them focussed, so today I have focussed on this and, judging by my picture, I don’t think I did too bad a job. 

I know that there are lots of versions of the cake on line if you want to go down that road, and I can’t even remember who gave me the bit of paper I found it on, but it will give a few readers something to do and when you are having that mammoth telephone, FaceTime or WhatsApp chat with one of your friends. It has its purpose too. 

If we are honest, we know which friends will get you talking on the phone for ages and, if it will not do your health too much harm, I strongly suggest that you prepare for that next long conversation by making a cup of tea and cutting yourself a slice of cake. 

Apple cake

8 ozs              Softened butter

14 ozs             Bramley apples

2 tspns           Raisons

1                       Lemon, juice and zest

8 ozs              Golden caster sugar

3                      Eggs

8 ozs              Self-raising flour

2 tspns           Baking powder

1 tspn             Ground cinnamon

1 tbspn           Demerara sugar 

1 oz                 Ground almonds

And here is what you need to do…

Preheat the oven to 180° / gas mark 4.  Add a little oil or butter to the sides and base before lining an 8” tin with baking parchment.  Peel, core and cut the apples into small chunks and put them into a mixing bowl with the raisins and lemon juice.  Using a separate bowl, cream the butter, caster sugar, and lemon zest.  Add the eggs and flour gradually.  Fold in the baking powder cinnamon and ground almonds.  Drain the excess liquid and then add apple mixture to the rest of the cake mix before turning it all into the tin and smoothing off the top.  Sprinkle the demerara sugar over the mix.  Bake for 1 hour.   Loosely cover the cake baking tin with foil if the cake starts getting too brown on the top.  Leave the cake to stand for at least 10 minutes before taking the first slice, which will just give you enough time to get yourself a serving plate, a little double cream, a fork and the phone before enjoying your first slice and a very satisfying variation on the multitasking experience.

After lock down and, the longer phone calls, it will still be the useful accompaniment to share during a good old-fashioned face–to-face natter.

CB, Lewisham.

LPG felt it important to add a few variations on this theme for those who have diabetes or need to choose gluten free versions to accompany their telephone calls.  

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