APPLE & SPICED TEA LOAF

6 ozs butter                                                                          1 teaspoon vanilla extract

6 ozs light muscavado sugar                                               1 teaspoon baking powder

3 large eggs                                                                         1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 eating apple                                                                      ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

8 ozs mixed dried fruit                                                          Pinch of salt

3ozs ground almonds                                                           Splash of orange or lemon juice

6 ozs plain flour                                                                    1 tablespoon Marmalade or apricot jam

Oven 180 or 160 (fan) Gas 4                                               Greased 2 lb loaf tin

Beat butter and sugar until pale and creamy. Add eggs. Grate ½ of the apple and add with the vanilla extract, mixed fruit and ground almonds. Sieve the flour, baking powder and spices together with the salt.  Fold into the mixture until it is even.  Spoon into the loaf tin and level the top.

Thinly slice the remaining apple and toss them in the lemon or orange juice.

Poke the slices into the top of the mixture and sprinkle with a teaspoon more of sugar.  Put into oven and after 45 minutes, turn the oven down to 140,120 (fan) or Gas 1. Cover cake with foil and bake for a further 45 minutes. Melt the jam or marmalade and brush over the top of the loaf whilst still warm.

It can be eaten sliced with butter for that extra special taste.