Bramley apple cake with toasted almonds

- a warming hug of a cake

I’ve been thinking a lot about baking recipes over the last few weeks, given that’s November’s cookbook club theme. And in particular about the cosy, comforting kind of bakes that feature in this month’s chosen book, The Irish Bakery. So, I thought I’d share with you one of my favourite such bakes that I have been making for years, always round about now as the days shorten and the temperatures drop: Bramley apple cake with toasted almonds.

I’ll be honest that it isn’t much of a fancy looker. It’s a humble cake, really. But what it lacks in razzle dazzle it more than makes up for with exceptional texture and flavour - and it is unbeatable on a slightly dreary afternoon, with the warmth of the oven still upon each slice and a mug of tea (or maybe a small whisky) alongside. It’s a cake with the kind of magical powers that make everything feel just that little bit better.

Bramley apple cake with toasted almonds