Check out our dementia-friendly recipe for a delicious and festive apple gingerbread cake with cinnamon icing.

Finger foods are a great way to support a person with dementia to eat, especially during the busy festive season. There is no need for a knife and fork, and you can walk around all while enjoying a tasty and nutritious snack.

Here is a festive recipe from Lobster for Josino, voted Senior Cookbook for Australia in 2019, that is fun to make, easy to share and a delicious treat everyone can enjoy.

Apple gingerbread recipe

Ingredients

Cake

• 225g peeled and sliced granny smith apples
• 3 tbsp caster sugar
• 3 tbsp brown sugar
• 3 tbsp golden syrup
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• 90g butter
• 6 tbsp self-raising flour
• 1 free-range egg
• 2 tsp ground ginger
• ½ tsp ground cloves

Cinnamon icing

• 6 tbsp icing sugar
• 3 tbsp hot water
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• Zest of 1 lemon

Method

1. Add the sliced apples and caster sugar into a small saucepan with 3 tbsp water and bring to simmer, cover, and cook until soft.
2. Mash up the apple and allow to cool, place the liquid in a pan with the brown sugar and the syrups. Allow sugar to dissolve on a low heat and allow to cool.
3. Sift the flour into a clean bowl. Beat the egg and add to the syrup and butter, beating very well. Preheat oven to 180c.
4. Add the cloves and ginger to the egg syrup mix and then gradually add the flour until a batter is formed, fold in the cooked apple.
5. Pour into a well-greased bread tin and bake in preheated oven for 30 – 40 mins on middle shelf. Remove from the oven and let cool in tin for 10 mins, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely. 
6. To make the icing, sift the icing sugar through a sieve, and add the cinnamon and lemon zest. Stir in the moderately hot water and mix well.
7. Pour the lemon cinnamon icing over the cake and serve.

Notes & Hints:

This recipe is also delicious with cooked rhubarb or cooked pears.