Homemade Joy: Mary Berry’s Simple Apple Sultana Cake Recipe

Bursting with warmth and nostalgia, apple and sultana cake captures the essence of homespun comfort.

Golden-brown crumbs studded with sultanas whisper stories of cherished family recipes.

Each slice promises a symphony of sweet, spiced notes that dance across your palate.

Fragrant cinnamon and tender apple chunks transform simple ingredients into a culinary masterpiece.

The cake’s rustic charm speaks to generations of home bakers who understand true deliciousness lies in simplicity.

Pantry staples become extraordinary when blended with love and a few expert techniques.

You’ll fall head over heels for this irresistible teatime treasure that turns ordinary moments into pure magic.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 8

Ingredients for Mary Berry Apple and Sultana Cake

• Flour: Select unbleached, all-purpose flour for the best texture and consistent baking results.
• Cinnamon: Choose freshly ground cinnamon for a more vibrant and aromatic flavor profile.

• Butter: Use room temperature, high-quality unsalted butter for smooth mixing and rich taste.
• Egg: Pick fresh, large eggs at room temperature for better batter integration.
• Milk: Select whole milk for a creamier and more luxurious cake consistency.

• Light Brown Sugar: Opt for soft, moist brown sugar to enhance moisture and depth of flavor.
• Demerara Sugar: Select coarse, golden sugar crystals for a delightful crunchy topping.

• Apples: Choose firm, slightly tart varieties like Granny Smith for balanced sweetness and texture.
• Sultanas: Pick plump, golden raisins that are soft and will distribute evenly in the cake.

Baking Tools for Apple and Sultana Cake by Mary Berry

• Large Mixing Bowl: Perfect for combining dry ingredients and creating the cake batter.
• Cake Tin (20 cm/8-inch): Deep tin for baking the apple cake, lined with baking parchment.
• Skewer or Toothpick: Essential for checking the cake's doneness by testing the center.
• Wire Rack: Helps cool the cake evenly after baking, preventing soggy bottoms.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient measurements for a perfect cake.
• Fingertips: Great for working butter into flour to create fine breadcrumb texture.
• Spatula or Wooden Spoon: Useful for mixing and folding ingredients smoothly.

Instructions for Making Mary Berry’s Sultana Cake

• Preheat and Prepare Baking Space

Warm the oven to 180°C and coat a deep cake tin with butter, lining it with parchment paper for smooth cake removal.

• Craft Delectable Cake Mixture

Blend flour and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl. Softly incorporate butter using fingertips until crumbly. Add light brown sugar and mix thoroughly. Introduce egg and milk, stirring until the batter becomes silky and rich with a smooth consistency.

• Enhance and Bake with Love

Gently fold chopped apples and sultanas into the cake mixture. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared tin. Sprinkle demerara sugar across the top for a delightful crunch. Slide the tin into the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes until the cake turns a beautiful golden color and a skewer comes out perfectly clean.

• Cool and Savor

Let the cake rest in the tin for 15 minutes to settle. Transfer to a wire rack and allow complete cooling. Serve warm with a luxurious custard drizzle, creating a comforting and irresistible dessert experience.

Adjustments for Mary Berry Apple Sultana Cake

• Customize with Spices: Experiment with nutmeg, ginger, or allspice to add warm, aromatic depth to your apple cake's flavor profile.
• Make It Gluten-Free: Swap regular flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend for a delicious alternative that suits dietary needs.
• Boost Fruit Variety: Replace sultanas with dried cranberries, chopped dates, or mixed berries to create unique taste combinations.
• Storage Secrets: Keep the cake fresh by wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap or storing in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

How to Serve Mary Berry’s Apple and Sultana Cake

• Serve with Creamy Custard: Drizzle warm vanilla custard over a slice of the apple cake for a classic British dessert experience that melts in your mouth.
• Pair with Afternoon Tea: Slice the cake into neat pieces and serve alongside a steaming cup of Earl Grey tea for a quintessential British teatime moment.
• Top with Whipped Cream: Add a dollop of freshly whipped cream or vanilla ice cream to enhance the cake's warm, spiced apple flavor and create a luxurious dessert.
• Create a Breakfast Delight: Toast a slice and spread with a thin layer of salted butter for a delightful morning treat that pairs perfectly with coffee.

Mary Berry Apple and Sultana Cake: Storing Guide

• Preserve Freshness: Store the apple sultana cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, keeping its soft texture and delightful flavor intact.
• Refrigerate with Care: When storing longer, wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 5-7 days. Let it reach room temperature before serving to restore its original moisture and taste.
• Freeze for Future Enjoyment: Slice the cake and place individual portions in freezer-safe bags. Freeze up to 2 months, ensuring a quick dessert option when unexpected guests arrive or craving strikes.
• Revive and Serve: Thaw frozen cake slices at room temperature for 1-2 hours. Warm gently in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or toast lightly to bring back the cake's fresh-baked warmth and aroma.

Wholesome Mary Berry Apple And Sultana Cake Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 8 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Indulgent mary berry apple and sultana cake delights with classic British baking charm. Moist crumb, sweet sultanas, and tender apples create a comforting dessert that warms your heart and satisfies your sweet cravings.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 225 g (8 oz) self-raising flour
• 225 g (8 oz) apples (Bramley or Granny Smith), peeled, cored, and cut into small pieces
• 115 g (4 oz) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces and chilled
• 115 g (4 oz) light brown sugar
• 100 g (3.5 oz) sultanas
• 2 tsps ground cinnamon
• 1 large egg, mixed well
• 6–8 tbsps milk
• 2 tbsps demerara sugar (optional)
• Additional unsalted butter for greasing the baking tin

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) with fan setting at 320°F (160°C). Grease an 8-inch deep cake tin and line with parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage of bottom and sides.
2. Base Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and cinnamon. Work cold butter into the dry ingredients using fingertips until the texture resembles coarse crumbs. Integrate light brown sugar thoroughly, creating a uniform mixture.
3. Batter Formation: Introduce the egg and gradually pour milk, stirring consistently to develop a smooth, thick consistency. Fold in chopped apples and sultanas, ensuring even distribution throughout the batter.
4. Baking Process: Pour the mixture into the prepared tin, smoothing the surface with a spatula. Optional: Sprinkle demerara sugar on top for a caramelized crust. Transfer to the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, checking doneness with a skewer that should come out clean.
5. Cooling and Serving: Allow the cake to rest in the tin for 15 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire rack. Serve warm, optionally accompanied by vanilla custard for an enhanced dessert experience.

Notes

• Butter Temperature: Use cold butter straight from the refrigerator for creating a crumbly, flaky texture in the cake base.
• Apple Selection: Choose firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Bramley for the best balance of sweetness and texture in the cake.
• Mixing Technique: Handle the batter gently when folding in apples and sultanas to maintain a light, airy cake consistency.
• Sugar Topping Trick: Sprinkle demerara sugar before baking to create a delightful caramelized crust with a subtle crunch.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg