Step 1: Preheat fan forced oven to 180C.

Step 2: Grease an rectangular cake tin.

Step 3: Place the flour, softened butter, brown sugar, cloves and grated nutmeg into the bowl of an electric mixer.

Step 4: Beat together the mixture, adding the eggs one at a time until all ingredients combine (about 2 to 3 minutes). Mix in the black treacle and apples, cut into two centimetre pieces.

Step 5: Spoon the cake mixture into the prepared tin. Sprinkle over the demerara sugar.

Step 6: Place the cake tin on a baking tray and bake in the oven for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the cake comes out clean.

Step 7: Remove the cake from the oven and allow the cake to cool in the tin on a wire rack.

Step 8: Once cool, slice and serve with crème fraiche (optional).