Apple Charlotte

Ingredients

• 2 lbs cooking apples, peeled,cored and sliced
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 lemon, zest and juice only
• 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
• 3 ounces unsalted butter, melted
• 8 thin slices brown bread, crusts removed

Directions

1. 1

   Pre-heat oven to 375°F.

2. 2

   Put the apples, cinnamon, lemon zest and juice and sugar in a saucepan.

3. 3

   Cover and simmer gently until pulpy, stirring occasionally.

4. 4

   Beat thoroughly with a wooden spoon, then cook, uncovered, over a high heat, stirring continuously, until any excess liquid has evaporated and the purée is very thick.

5. 5

   Brush the butter all over the slices of bread.

6. 6

   Line the base and sides of a greased 6 inch deep cake tin (such as a Christmas cake tin or substitute a coffee can or vegetables tin, as long as it does not have ridges) with the slices of bread, making sure that they overlap.

7. 7

   Spoon in the apple purée and cover with more over-lapping slices of bread.

8. 8

   Bake for about 30 minutes, until the top is golden brown.

9. 9

   Serve at once, turned out and accompanied with real custard or fresh cream or clotted cream to pour over it.