• Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) or 315 °F (160°C) fan- forced.
• Grease an 8 inch (20cm) cake pan or springform pan with butter and line the base with parchment paper.
• Peel, core, and slice the apples into ¼ inch (6mm) slices. Put the apple slices in a bowl of water and set aside. This keeps them from turning brown while you prepare the batter.
  1 ½ pound (600g) apples

Batter

• Use an electric mixer to beat the butter, caster sugar and vanilla extract until pale and creamy (about 4 - 5 minutes)
  ¾ cup (170g) salted butter, ¾ cup (170g) superfine (caster) sugar, 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• Then add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
  3 large eggs
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt and baking powder.
  1 ½ cups (187g) plain (all purpose) flour, ¼ teaspoon salt, 1 level teaspoon baking powder
• Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, and use a spatula to mix until just combined. Do not overmix the batter, or it will result in a dry textured cake.

Cinnamon sugar mixture

• In a small bowl,whisk the caster sugar and ground cinnamon together and set aside.
  ⅓ cup (75g) superfine (caster sugar), 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon

Assemble the cake

• Spread half the cake batter over the base of the prepared baking pan. Use a rubber or offset spatula to gently spread and level out the batter.
• Arrange half the apple slices over the batter and then sprinkle with half the cinnamon sugar mixture. (note 2)
• Repeat with the remaining cake batter, apples and cinnamon sugar. (note 3)
• Bake in the preheated oven for 35 - 40 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
• Remove from the oven but leave the cake in the pan for 10 minutes before turning out onto a serving plate. Can be sliced and served warm or at room temperature.
• Optional serving suggestion: The cake goes really well with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or sweetened whipped cream.

Storing

• Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
• Refrigerate: In an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• If you find the texture drier the next day - simply warm individual slices for a few seconds in the microwave or pop them in the oven for about 5 minutes to restore their softness.