Sicilian Apple Cake

This apple cake is one of those "wow" cakes. I actually feel like a fraud when people are so impressed, because really its so easy. The hardest bit is peeling and slicing the apples. You can serve it cold or warm with cream, and it freezes well. I often make it in a square tin and cut it into small squares and individually wrap pieces to put in the freezer for an after dinner treat. When l make it for the cafe ( usually  1 a day ) l use a 23cm round tin and dust around the outside with icing sugar. Dont discount this cake, it is truly a winner.

Sicilian Apple Cake Recipe

50 gms walnuts toasted
120 gms melted butter
4 apples peeled and sliced
1/2 lemon zest and juice
150 gms plain flour
1 1/2 teas baking powder
3 eggs
250 gms sugar
1 teas vanilla
100mls milk
1/4 cup sultanas
1/8 cup pinenuts
1 tab brown sugar
1 teas cinnamon
Line 23 cm round tin with baking paper. Pour a little of the melted butter into base of tin and sprinkle toasted
walnuts in. Put sliced apples into bowl with lemon. In seperate bowl whisk eggs with sugar and vanilla. Sift in flour and baking powder, mix then add milk and remaining butter.
Pour 1/2 batter over nuts and then arrange 1/2 apples on top and sprinkle 1/2 sultanas. Pour remainder of batter on top of apples and  then arrange remainder of apples and sultanas. Sprinkle over pinenuts, brown sugar and cinnamon.
Bake in oven 170o for 1- 1/4 hours. Cool in tin and when cool turn out and dust with icing sugar.