Apple and Walnut Shortcake

This delicious and easy slice can be served as an afternoon tea slice or warm for a dessert with a dollop of cream or vanilla ice cream on the side.

METHOD

1. Pre heat oven to 160 C Hot Air  or Circulaire or Fan Bake.
2. In a large food processor  with blade attachment or stand mixer with paddle attachment, place softened butter, castor sugar and vanilla extract.Beat until pale and creamy.
3. Add egg and give a quick pulse.
4. Add sifted dry ingredients and mix until just comes together.Do not over mix or the mixture will become tough and shrink whilst cooking.
5. Line a brownie tin with baking paper.
6. Press half of the dough into the tin so base is even.
7. For the filling, place  lemon zest, juice, spices, sugar ( if using ) in a small bowl.Slice peeled apples as thin as you can.Too thick and the apples will not soften whilst cooking.Add thinly sliced apples to the bowl and add cornflour.Toss until all evenly coated.
8. Layer apple filling evenly on to the base.
9. Pinch the remaining dough into large pieces and scatter over apple filling.Nestle the walnut pieces amongst the topping.
10. Bake in preheated oven for approx. 25 minutes until topping starts to become golden and crunchy and apples are soft.
11. Cool in tin for about 30 minutes, before cutting into portions.
12. Dust with icing sugar ( optional ).