3 x 300 cake
In the spirit of keeping things simple, this is named 3x300 cake because that's how the main ingredients are measured, so you can basically make it from memory.
It’s equal parts sugar, flour and fat, with the addition of some eggs (or vegan egg substitutes), all mixed together in one bowl and then thrown into the oven with some fruit on the top. So, not only does it taste great, but it is also quick, easy and doesn’t leave much washing up.
It’s a cake for all seasons. In the summer leave it to cool, and eat it at room temperature with a fruity white wine. In the winter, eat it straight from the oven with a nice cup of coffee.
You can really use any fruit for this cake, as long as it isn’t too soft, so plums, apricots, apples, pears, etc. are in, and berries are out. Pick whatever is in season at the time you are making it, and then adjust the amount of sugar that you sprinkle on at the end, to fit the tartness of the fruit.
The recipe
Preheat the oven to 180°C, and prepare the baking tin by greasing it with butter and sprinkling with breadcrumbs.
Cut the margarine into cubes, sift the flour, and combine them with the other ingredients in a large bowl.
Pour the mixture into your prepared baking tin.
Cut and deseed the fruit, and lay the pieces on top of the cake mixture, with the cut sides facing upwards, then sprinkle with some sugar.
Bake for about 40 minutes
Fiddle with it
Because it is so simple, both in execution and in flavours, this recipe is a perfect base to play around with.
Try adding cinnamon or other spices when you sprinkle the sugar over the fruit before baking, or maybe adding some vanilla to the base. Try different combinations of fruits as well, as long as they aren’t too soft, it really is hard to go wrong.
