I'm amazed at how superior your vanilla is!
– Des, The Grommet
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This quick and easy cake comes from Janet Sawyer, owner of Little Pod and author of Vanilla. It is an adaptation of a Mary Berry favorite. (Mary Berry is a well-known English culinary professional and cookbook author.) It’s perfect as an afternoon cake and can also be served for brunch. Vary the fruits based on the season; it’s as adaptable as it is easy to assemble.
300 grams/10 ounces apples
100 grams/2/3 cup blueberries
1 tablespoon brandy or dark rum
230 grams/1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2–1/2 teaspoons baking powder
230 grams/1 cup plus 2-1/2 tablespoons sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon Vanilla Bean Paste
150 grams/1 stick plus 2 tablespoons butter (can substitute coconut oil if preferred), melted
handful of raw, sliced almonds
Peel and slice the apples and combine them with the blueberries. Pour over the rum and infuse the vanilla pod/bean (this can be washed and retained for further use). Set aside for half an hour or so.
Preheat the oven to 160 degrees C or 325 degrees F.
Sift the flour, baking powder and sugar into a bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs until fluffy and light, then add the butter and vanilla paste or extract and stir them into the flour mixture. Pour just over half of the batter into the cake pan, then arrange the fruit on top. Cover with the rest of the mixture but don’t worry about spreading it evenly over the fruit as it will spread in the oven. Sprinkle with the almonds.
Bake 90 minutes, or until golden. Let it cool in the pan, then turn out.
Serve with lightly sweetened cream, ice cream or Creme Anglaise (pouring custard) if desired.
By Janet Sawyer
Adapted from From Mary Berry
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I was given a small bottle of Rain’s Choice in a gift basket and I have been hooked ever since. The flavor makes all of my baking so much better! I will never use grocery store vanilla again!
