CINNAMON SPICED APPLE LOAF CAKE (VEGAN)

During a recent work trip I came across an apple tree and snaffled some of its spoils to take home and put to good use. The following recipe is my take on one from a great vegan comfort food blog called Rabbits and Wolves - you can check out Lauren's original recipe here. I've made a few tweaks to suit what I had in my cupboard and can confirm the end result remains delicious - and it's dead easy to make as well.

First, preheat your oven to 180°C - or a touch lower if you have a fan assisted oven. Grease a loaf tin with dairy free butter.

In a large mixing bowl cream together 1/2 cup maple syrup with 1/2 cup vegan butter. Next, add 1/2 cup apple sauce and a good dash of vanilla essence and mix well.

Once your wet ingredients are combined, sift in 2 cups of plain flour, 2 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp baking soda and 1 tsp salt. While I love to measure by eye when I'm cooking, baking is an altogether different beast so make sure these particular measurements are level to ensure the best results.

Add to this at least 1 heaped tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp cardamom and 1/2 tsp nutmeg and fold all your dry ingredients in together while pouring in 1/4 cup oat milk. Ensure the mixture is fully combined, scraping the side of your bowl as you go. I then went a bit rogue and added a heaped dessert spoonful of PipnNut's limited edition Pumpkin Spice Almond Butter. (I regret nothing, my flat currently boasts the heady scent of Autumn that I love.)

Once that's all mixed, fold in 2 large peeled and chopped apples of your choice. The original recipe calls for sharp apples but whatever you have to hand will be fine. Pour the combined mixture into your loaf tin and place in the middle of your oven until it's completely cooked through and a knife comes out clean when you test it. My loaf took almost an hour to bake through so check back every so often. When you press the top of your cake it should bounce back.

Serve warm with hot coffee and cinnamon butter for an extra kick of spice. You can make this by mixing the spread of your choice with 1 tsp cinnamon and 2-3 tsp brown sugar until thoroughly combined or just drizzle over some maple syrup for a touch of decadence.

Until next time, keep wondering.

Laura