800g6 cups + 3 tablespoons spelt whole grain flour or all-purpose flour
1-1/2cupssugar
2heaping teaspoons cinnamon
1teaspoonground cardamom
2teaspoonginger
1/2teaspooncloves
1teaspoonfreshly ground nutmeg
1/4teaspoonallspice
1-1/2cupshoney
1cupoil
4eggs
2tablespoonsinstant espresso coffee
1cupboiling water
2level teaspoons baking soda
Zest of two medium oranges
For the chocolate glaze:
200g7oz 72% premium dark chocolate
50g3.5 tablespoons butter or margarine
Instructions
For the poached apples:
Place the apples in a medium size pan and add the spices and orange peel. Cover with the white white and place the parchment paper on top of the apples. Poach on medium heat and reduce the heat to a simmer. Poach the apples for 15 minutes or until they are tender, but not mushy. Remove from the poaching liquid, put them in a covered container and refrigerate until cold. This can be done the day before baking.
For the cake:
Preheat the oven to 170C (325F). Grease a 22cm (8-inch) round spring-form pan and a loaf pan.
Place the cranberries, orange peel, and walnuts in a food processor and grind until each ingredient is in fine pieces. Be careful not to grind it into a paste. Set aside.
Mix the flour, sugar, and spices in a bowl. Add the honey, oil and eggs, and whisk into a smooth batter. Dissolve the coffee into 1 cup of boiling water. Add the baking soda to the batter, and then add the coffee. Gently fold in the orange rind, and the cranberry, candied orange and walnut mixture.
Pour half of the batter into round pan and the other half into the loaf pan. Bake for approximately 45 minutes until the cake is dark brown and the toothpick is clean with a few crumbs adhering. Depending on your oven, you may have to bake your cakes for an additional 10-15 minutes.
Cool in the pan until completely cooled. The cake a be prepared up to two days ahead.
For the chocolate glaze:
Just before assembling the cake, melt the chocolate over a water on low heat and add the butter or margarine. Cool for 5 minutes.
For assembly:
Slice the apples into thin slices and place on top of the round cake. Place the chocolate glaze in the middle of the cake and spread to the edges of the top of the cake. Let chocolate glaze will thicken as it cools.