Banana & apple slice

Ingredients:

125 g soft margarine
150 g soft brown sugar
2 eggs
275 g wholemeal self-raising flour
2 dessert apples, cored and grated
2 bananas, mashed
75 g sultanas
125 ml apple juice
2 tablespoons chopped cashew nuts

Method:

1. Preheat oven, 180 degrees C (350 degrees F, gas mark 4).
2. Grease and line an 18 x 28 cm shallow baking tin.
3. Cream the margarine and sugar together until light and fluffy.
4. Beat in the eggs one at a time, adding a tablespoon of flour with the second egg.
5. Fold in half the remaining flour with the apples, bananas and sultanas.
6. Fold in the remaining flour with the apple juice.
7. Turn the mixture into the tin and smooth the top with a palette knife. 
8. Transfer to oven and bake for 45 - 50 minutes, until the cake springs back when lightly pressed.
9. Turn the cake out on to a wire rack to cool, then sprinkle with the chopped cashew nuts.
10. Cut into slices to serve.

Alternatives:
Try 2 grated pears instead of apples. Add a handful of chocolate pieces.


Makes: 20 slices
Prep time: 20 - 25 minutes
Cooking time: 45 - 50 minutes

Note: the slices freeze well. Pack them into a rigid, freezer container, cover and freeze. They will keep for up to 3 months. To defrost, remove as many as required and leave at room temperature for 1 hour.

Carrot cupcakes

For the cupcakes

• 130 g plain flour
• 1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 215 g caster sugar
• 2 eggs
• 175 ml vegetable oil, or any other neutral oil
• 65 g walnuts, chopped, plus extra to decorate
• 165 g carrots, grated (approximately 2 medium-large carrots)

For the icing

• 170 g thick cream cheese
• 65 g butter
• 125 g icing sugar
• 1/2 lemon, finely grated zest only
• 3/4 tbsp soured cream
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Method:

For the cupcakes: preheat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4 and line a cupcake pan or muffin tin with paper cases. 

2. Sift together the flour, bicarbonate of soda, baking powder, cinnamon and ½ tsp salt and set aside. 

3. In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar and eggs until thick and creamy. Slowly add the oil in a thin stream while whisking constantly. Fold in the dry ingredients, and once combined gently stir in the nuts and carrots. 

4. Divide the batter evenly among the paper cups and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a skewer inserted in the centre of one cupcake comes out clean. Place on a wire rack to cool. 

5. For the icing: in a large bowl, beat together the cream cheese, butter, and icing sugar until the mixture is smooth and soft. Stir in the lemon zest, soured cream and vanilla extract. 

6. Pile the frosting into a piping bag and pipe it onto the cooled cupcakes. Decorate with the extra chopped walnuts before serving. 

Makes 12 cupcakes