Chai Spiced Apple and Walnut Loaf

Apple season is here and I couldn't be happier. Apples shout autumn to me, do they you? Apple picking in a coat and wellies, making cider, pie, crumble, topping your porridge. There are so many ways to use this delicious fruit, with savoury and sweet recipe options available.

I adore apple and walnut cake, so I decided to give my own version a go. Slathering this in salted butter when it's nice and warm is something I can't even explain. Like most of my bakes, it contains nearly 90% natural sugars and is just the right level of sweet. The Chai spice elevates it just that touch, making it feel warm and decadent. I wish you could smell my house right now, good grief it's beautiful. The spice mix has leftovers, so you can save it for hot chocolate, breakfast, pancakes, coffee...so many things. I've gone for a sweeter Chai, but if you like yours with a tang, add more ginger.

Just don't blame me if you eat the entire loaf, I refuse all responsibility. This is a lovely bake for a lazy Sunday afternoon, curl up in front of the fire and eat it along side a hot cup of tea. Watch the leaves fall and breathe in that sweet smell of cinnamon that is filling your house. Find more recipes with apple here.

Chai spiced apple & Walnut Loaf

Serves: 8Prep time: 12 minsCook time: 30-35 minTotal time: 40-50 mins

Ingredients

• 215g self raising flour
• 50g soft un-salted butter
• 300g large Bramley apple, grated
• 2 eggs
• 60m honey
• 3 tbsp oil
• 2 and a half tsp chai mix
• Half tsp bicarbonate of soda
• Pinch of salt
• 100g walnuts, chopped
• 1 tsp light brown sugar

• FOR THE CHAI:

• 2 tsp cardamom
• 2 tsp nutmeg
• 2 tsp all spice
• 2 tsp cloves
• 3 tsp cinnamon
• 3 tsp ginger
• 1 tsp coconut sugar (optional)

Directions

1. Pre-heat oven to 180C/gas mark 6.
2. Core and grate apple, add it to a bowl with flour, 2 and a half tsp Chai mix, salt and bicarb. Mix.
3. Add honey, oil, egg, soft butter to a different bowl and mix together.
4. Add 80g roughly chopped walnuts to the flour bowl, mix. Add wet mixture to dry mixture and stir to combine.
5. Fill a pre greased and lined loaf tin with mixture, add the rest of the walnuts in a small bowl and mix in the 1 tsp of brown sugar. Sprinkle over the top of the loaf.
6. Cook on 180c/gas mark 4 for 30-35 mins. Inserting a knife of tooth pick at the 30 min mark to see if it comes out clean.
7. Leave to cool slightly on a wire rack before cutting. Serve warm with butter.

*Please note that my oven is fan assisted.