Autumn is my sisters favourite time of year and a great time of year for baking with apples, spices, plums…

It has been really hot in Germany until quite recently, but now it is starting to get cooler and the nights are getting longer, I thought it would be a good time to think about autumn recipes.

I have seen apple roses on various websites and decided to finally give it a go. They are much easier to make than I thought and after a few attempts, I was creating flowers I was happy with! I have made a timelapse video on my Facebook page of me making an apple flower.

I hope you enjoy this recipe. Remember to come back on Thursday to see this month’s Food Exchange.

Lucya xx

You can find Lucya Bakes on Facebook and Instagram.

A Recipe For Spiced Apple Cakes (Apple Roses)

Ingredients

120g butter, softened

220g brown sugar

2 eggs

2 tbsp golden syrup

60ml milk

230g plain flour

2 tsp baking powder

1.5 tsp ground ginger

1.5 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 an apple

1 tsp brown sugar mixed with 1/4 tsp cinnamon

Method

Preheat the oven to 170c (fan assisted).

Beat together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.Add the egg and beat until well combined. Next add the golden syrup and milk and beat again.

Sieve the flour, spices and baking powder into the mixture and gently stir until everything is well combined.

Grease a six hole muffin tin really well and divide the mixture evenly between the six holes.

Next, make the apple roses. Start by coring the apple, then cut the apple in half and cut really thin slices, you want the slices to be as thin as possible. Put the apple pieces into a microwavable bowl and add enough water to cover the apple pieces. Microwave in 3 30 second bursts or until the apple is soft and pliable. Carefully remove the soft apple pieces from the water and allow to cool slightly. Take one piece of apple and roll the apple up along the shortest side, just before the apple is completely rolled up add another piece of apple and continue. I used approximately 5 apple slice per apple flower. Once you have made your apple flower push into the cake batter and using the tip of a knife spread the “petals” out slightly. If this isn’t clear head over to my Facebook page where I have added a video of me making an apple flower.

Once all of your cakes have apple flowers in, sprinkle with the cinnamon sugar and bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until a knife inserted into the middle comes out clean.