Flavors of WalesPreheat oven to 180° C (350° F)
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 45-55 minutes

In Wales, baking was an important part of every household kitchen, to provide a range of bread and sweet cakes for afternoon tea served in every dwelling. The natural combination of cheese and fruit come together in this cake, giving a lighter texture to the fruit and an appealing astringency from the mild cheese.

1. Grease a 23-25cm (9-10") cake tin and line the base with baking parchment. Cream together the butter and sugar until light and creamy.
2. Beat the eggs in one at a time. Sift the flour and baking powder together into a bowl, mix into the butter mix a little at a time.
3. Add the mixed spice, apricots, nuts, apple, sultanas and cheese, and fold in. Spoon into the prepared tin, smooth out the surface and sprinkle with the Demerara.
4. Bake the cake in a preheated oven for 45-55 minutes. Remove from the oven and leave to cool slightly, then ease out of the cake tin and cool on a wire wrack. Note: This cake is also delicious served warm with custard.

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Photo: The Royal Basket, UK