Lemon and apple sponge

Combine this cake with care to create a light-as-air sponge perfect for afternoon tea. To make it a little more special, add cherries or strawberries to the centre and you are bound to impress.

Ingredients

200 g	Butter, softened
200 g	Caster sugar
4	Eggs
200 g	Self raising flour
2 medium	Apples, grated (Main)
1 Tbsp	Lemon zest (Main)
1 Tbsp	Lemon juice (Main)
1 handful	Berries, to decorate

Filling

150 ml	Cream, lightly whipped
50 g	Creme fraiche
½ cup	Lemon curd (Main)
1 serving	Icing sugar, to dust

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 170C andline a 23cm tin with baking paper.

2. Cream the butter and sugar until lightand fluffy. While beating slowly add theeggs one at a time. Fold through the flour,apple, lemon zest and juice.

3. Spread the mixture evenly into yourtin. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until thecake is light to the touch. Remove andcool completely.

4. To serve, slice the cake in half andplace the base on to a serving plate.Fold the cream, creme fraiche and lemoncurd together and spread over the cakethen place the top on.

5. Dust with icing sugar and serve toppedwith fresh strawberries.

See more of Angela's afternoon treat recipes

• Blueberry and bakewell slice
• Treacle loaf