West country apple cake

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180C/gas 4. Peel and core the apples and cut into small chunks.

2. Fry the apples in butter and caster sugar until caramelised. Leave on one side while you make the cake.

3.  Beat the butter and sugar in a mixing bowl until light and fluffy.

4. Gradually add the egg, beating well. Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt, and fold into the cake mixture with the apples.

6. Transfer to a greased, base-lined 20cm round cake tin and bake for 50 minutes, or until the cake is firm to the touch.

7. Leave the cake for 5 minutes before turning out. While still warm, pour over the apple brandy. Dust the top of  the cake with brown sugar and glaze with a chef's blow-torch.

8. Cut the cake into wedges and serve with dollops of clotted cream.