French Apple Cake

3-4 large apples peeled cored and chopped

225g caster sugar

225g softened butter cut into cubes

225g plain flour

4 medium eggs

50g ground almonds

2tsp baking powder

2tbs calvados brandy ( or 2-3 drops of vanilla extract )

1dessert spoon soft brown sugar for sprinkling

Extra butter for greasing

A little icing sugar for dusting

Preheat your oven to 180c.

Chop the apples and squeeze a little lemon juice on to stop the fruit turning brown.

Butter a 21cm springform tin, line and butter again and sprinkle with the soft brown sugar.

In a bowl mix the dry ingredients together gently mix in the eggs 1 at a time and then the softened butter. Stir in the calvados and finally fold through the apple pieces with a spatula til well mixed in.

Pour the batter into the lined tin then bake 40-45 mins or until golden and a skewer comes out clean from the centre. Cool on a rack, sprinkle the edges with icing sugar and serve warm with a dollop of creme fraiche.