BAKE OFF: SLICE OF LIFE

Eating an apple cake a day is not recommended, but bake this sturdy dessert and you’ll likely be tempted.

Eating an apple cake a day is not recommended, but bake this sturdy dessert and you’ll likely be tempted.

maybe it’s the cooler days and longer nights, but something about apple season makes me want to bake. For those not inclined to be pie makers, there’s ALWAYS CAKE—A FASTER, HUMBLER, LESS FINICKY ALTERNATIVE THAT requires no crimping or pressure to extract a structurally sound slice. This particular cake is as straightforward as they come, and CAN BE PRESSED INTO SERVICE NO MATTER WHAT’S IN SEASON: CHOPPED rhubarb or berries in spring; peaches, apricots and plums in summer; apples and pears in fall. It can be easily dressed up with a few cranberries for pucker and colour around the holidays, some grated orange or lemon zest or fresh ginger, or a shake of cinnamon stirred into the batter.

SERVE IT IN WEDGES, AND DON’T WORRY IF THEY’RE A LITTLE HAPHAZARD. In apple-cake speak, “messy” translates to “rustic.” I can’t imagine a more useful or multi-purpose cake. It’s plain enough for any weekday, but frilly enough for a special occasion. Better still, it’s so simple that after you bake a few, you’ll know the recipe by heart.