Apple and plum shortcake

I’ve fallen back in love with my very first recipe book I bought Cakes and Slices and found this simple shortcake recipe. Something a little different to a cake but still just as tasty. Next time I make it I will work the dough a little more as it turned out quite rough, probably because it was a bit dry! So here goes!

250 g plain flour, sieved

1 tsp baking powder

125 g unsalted butter, cubed

55 g caster sugar, plus extra

1 egg, lightly beaten

1 tbsp milk, plus extra

4 eating apples, peeled, quartered and sliced

Ground cinnamon

3 tbsp plum or damson jam

Heat oven to 180^oC.

Rub the chilled butter into the flour and baking powder until it resembles bread crumbs (I used a mini chopper – it takes literally seconds!). Make a well in the middle of the mixture and pour in the beaten egg and milk. Mix together with a table knife until it starts to stick together. If you need too, add a little more milk. Flour a board and gather the dough together. Mould into a ball, cover in cling film and chill for about half an hour. I used this time to prepare the apples. Half the dough and roll one part out into either a rectangle or cirle whichever you prefer until it’s about 20 cm long or in diameter. Place on a baking tray and spread over the jam. Lay the apples on top and sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon (to your taste). Roll out the second half of the dough in the same way and lay carefully over the top of the apples. Brush with milk and sprinkle with more sugar. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown. Leave to cool and cut into eating sized pieces. Delicious served still warm!

Lizzi :)