Soul Cake

Soul Cake

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Baking time: 30 minutes
Total time: 50 minutes
Servings: 8

If you are looking for a quick and simple dessert that brings warmth and comfort on chilly days, Soul Cake is the perfect choice. This cake with caramelized apples combines sweet and spicy flavors, resulting in a final product that will delight your senses. It is ideal to be served alongside a cup of tea or coffee.

Ingredients:
- 3 medium apples (preferably tart apples like Granny Smith)
- 100 g granulated sugar (you can also use brown sugar for a more intense flavor)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 100 g butter at room temperature
- 150 g powdered sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 150 g flour
- 1 packet of baking powder (approximately 10 g)
- A pinch of salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

Preparation:

1. Start by preparing the apples. Peel the apples, then grate them using a large grater. Place them in a pan over medium heat, add 100 g sugar and cinnamon. Stir occasionally until the apples become soft and caramelized, about 10-15 minutes. Once ready, let them cool to room temperature.

2. In a large bowl, mix the soft butter with the powdered sugar using an electric mixer. Beat them together until you achieve a fluffy and light-colored mixture, about 5-7 minutes. This step is essential to incorporate air into the batter, ensuring a light texture.

3. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Finally, add the vanilla extract if you chose to use it.

4. In another bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Sift the dry mixture over the butter and egg mixture, gently folding with a spatula or wooden spoon. Avoid over-mixing to prevent gluten development, which could make the cake dense.

5. Fold the caramelized apples into the batter, gently mixing to distribute them evenly. This step will add moisture and a delicious flavor to your cake.

6. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease a baking pan (approximately 20x30 cm) with butter or use parchment paper to prevent sticking.

7. Pour the batter into the pan and level the surface. Bake the cake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

8. Once baked, let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Serving suggestions:
Soul Cake can be served plain, but you can enhance it with a dusting of powdered sugar on top or with vanilla ice cream to complement its flavor. You can also add nuts or toasted hazelnuts for an extra crunch.

Possible variations:
If you want to bring a festive note, you can replace the apples with caramelized pears. Use the same caramelization technique to achieve a different but equally delicious flavor. You can also experiment with adding raisins or dried cranberries to the batter for extra texture.

This Soul Cake recipe is not only simple but also versatile, allowing you to customize it to your tastes. Whether you prepare it for a special occasion or simply to indulge yourself, the result will always be an unforgettable dessert.

 Ingredients: 1.5kg apples, 200g butter, 200g sour cream, 500g flour, 75g sugar + 50g for caramelizing the apples, 2 eggs, 2 egg whites + 2 tablespoons powdered sugar, 1 packet baking powder, zest and juice of a small lemon, 1 pinch of salt