Autumn Pudding

This was a bit of a random creation I made because I happened to have a Bramley apple going spare. It turned out rather well and is very easy to make. I ate it with custard but I think it would have been improved by some fresh blackberries on the side to add even more to the autumnal flavours.

Autumn pudding

2 oz light soft brown sugar
2 oz soft margarine
2 oz self raising flour
1 egg
1/4 tsp baking powder
2 oz mixed nuts (I used a mixture of brazils, pecans, almonds and walnuts)
1 medium sized Bramley apple

Method
1. Grease and line a deep 7 inch round cake tin.

2. Heat the oven to 180 C.

3. Grind the nuts finely in a food processor.

4. Peel and then finely dice the apple.

5. Place the flour, sugar, marg, egg and baking powder in a bowl. Using an electric whisk beat these ingredients together until they are light and pale.

6. Mix the ground nuts and apple into the cake batter.

7. Spread the pudding mix evenly into the prepared tin.

8. Bake the pudding for about 25 minutes until it is just firm when pressed with a finger.

9. When cooked, turn the pudding out of the tin and eat warm or cold.

Just add custard...

Flapjack Fest

I did some baking last week when I was short of time so I settled on some easy flapjacks. I decided to add a bit of apple and spice to this batch. The result is a soft texture and a fruity taste. If you don't fancy the apple variation, I've included my usual recipe which gives a much crisper result and which is plain but delicious!

Apple, Sultana and Cinnamon Flapjack

4 oz Butter

1 oz Demerara sugar

1 oz Soft, dark brown sugar

2 tbsp Golden syrup

5 oz Porridge oats

1 oz Plain flour

1 Small apple, peeled, cored and diced.

2 oz Sultanas

1/2 tsp Ground cinnamon 

Pinch of salt

Method:

1. Grease and line a square 7-8" tin. Preheat the oven to 180 C.

2. Melt together the butter, sugars and golden syrup in a small pan over a low heat.

3. In a bowl, mix together all of the remaining ingredients.

4. Pour the melted butter mixture into the bowl and stir well.

5. Press the mixture firmly into the tin using the back of a metal spoon.

6. Bake for 25 - 35 minutes until nicely browned.

7. While the flapjacks are still soft when they come out of the oven, take a sharp knife and cut the flapjack into slices. Once completely cooled, turn out of the tin.

Best Flapjacks

4 oz Butter

2 oz Demerara sugar

2 tbsp Golden syrup

5 oz Porridge oats

1 oz Plain flour 

Pinch of salt

Method:

1. Grease and line a square 7-8" tin. Preheat the oven to 180 C.

2. Melt together the butter, sugar and golden syrup in a small pan over a low heat.

3. In a bowl, mix together all of the remaining ingredients.

4. Pour the melted butter mixture into the bowl and stir well.

5. Press the mixture firmly into the tin using the back of a metal spoon.

6. Bake for 25 - 35 minutes until nicely browned.

7. While the flapjacks are still soft when they come out of the oven, take a sharp knife and cut the flapjack into slices. Once completely cooled, turn out of the tin.