A little while ago we borrowed a book from the library- ‘Apple Cake: A Recipe For Love’. It is the charming story of Idea and Alfonso and his quest to win his love’s heart, through baking.

The book is remarkably specific in terms of his recipe, so we decided to try it out.

We choose three apples, one green and two red. Chopped them up and set them in water while we made the batter.

We beat two tablespoons of butter with a cup of sugar.  Added two eggs (with a touch of shell, thanks Eli!), a cup of flour, a teaspoon of baking powder and a pinch of salt (from the mundane salt shaker, not harvested from the ocean like Alfonso’s).

We added some bitters (three wishes- one bitter, two sweet) and blew kisses, then sprinkled cinnamon and sugar on top.

The smell permeated our kitchen, just as it lured Ida away from her book. Before long we were tucking into warm and crumbly apple cake. It was delicious! Who would have thought a children’s book could yield such a delectable cake.

Despite the magical book having been returned, we have now made the cake three more times, including with the addition of jelly. At least if I have a memory blank, we can now refer to this post for future cooking reference. Thanks Alfonso!

3 tbsp softened butter

1 cup sugar

3 peeled and chopped apples (or substitute for pears, sour cherries, peaches etc)

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

1 cup of plain flour

1 tsp baking powder

Pinch of salt

Dash of Angostura Bitters (optional)

Cinnamon/Nutmeg and sugar to sprinkle

…

(Pre-heat oven to 175 degrees Celcius)

1. Cream together the softened butter and the sugar until the butter has lightened in colour.

2. Add in eggs, beating well between each addition.

3. Mix in the vanilla essence and Angostura Bitters if using

4. Mix in the flour, baking powder and salt until just combined.

5. Fold in the fruit gently.

6. Pour into baking paper lined square tin and sprinkle cinnamon and sugar over the top.

7. Bake for 20-30 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean.