And I am still cooking and baking quite regularly as all my close friends expect! Just that my blogging time has been quite limited lately. Anyway, this post features the apple and custard loaf I talked about here. I have used that rich and absolutely delicious sweet dough as the base here. The filling, as the title suggested, includes apple and custard. I can´t imagine a better combination than that – the fruitiness of apple, the smoothness of custard and the richness of the dough. This is a combo to dream for, and I will make it as little as possible since it is so hard to exercise self-control over these. I swear I could have finished the whole loaf myself. But being a good friend, I shared it around and saved myself from being a guinea pig!
And here is the recipe… Remember that the dough recipe yields more to what is needed for this loaf. But you can always turn the leftover dough to the plain (but delicious) sweet loaf like I did previously.
You also need a sourdough starter for this recipe.
APPLE & CUSTARD LOAF
Ingredients
450g sweet yeasted butter dough
700g pastry custard (recipe follow)
5 good eating apples (I used Granny Smith), peeled and cut into slices
100g soft brown sugar
Method
Line and butter base and side of a 25cm springform cake tin.
In a saucepan, heat milk and vanilla to nearly boiling. Remove from the heat and let cool down.
Pastry Custard
400g fresh milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
25g corn flour
125g castor sugar
2 medium eggs
50g unsalted butter, softened
In a bowl, mix cornflour with sugar. Beat in the egg, one at a time. Whisk in hot milk and return to the sauce pan, heat and stir constantly until just comes to the boil. Remove from the heat, transfer immediately to a cooler container and beat in butter. Leave a piece of baking paper on the surface (to prevent the custard from skinning) and leave to cool. 
Oh Anh, I hope you really do keep in touch with your friends, however far away they will geographically be! The Dan Lepard book has been something I’ve been coveting of late, and this recipe is not only seemingly worth the price of the book alone but (as usual) is photgraphed with such style. Well done!
Anh – I understand what it is to have friends depart… To have that gap in your life, where there was once a friend. Keep baking, sweetie – it will help.
Anh – I hope you can still be as close as possible regardless of geography.
I agree 100% when you talk about wanting to finish the cake by your self. I have this same voice inside of me when I make lemon cakes. It looks so moist and luscious. All the best to you and your friend.
Thank goodness for email and instant messaging — it is easier than ever to keep in touch with friends who are far away. And of course there is the sharing of favorite recipes, too. And baking is always a good way to get through sad times. Oh — and blogging, too!
Anh – sorry to hear about your friend departing – hope she enjoys your blog as much as I do! It is always sad to see people go but I have farewelled people a few times wondering if I will ever see them again and it has been great joy to meet up with them again! Your cake looks scrumptious – I will look out for Dan Lepard’s book!
Your loaf is beautiful, Anh, and looks like the perfect comfort food for a friend leaving. Thank goodness for email and the internet so you can stay in touch!
It is hard to lose a friend but in this day and age,you can keep in touch with them everyday virtually!:)
the loaf looks so sinful.
I’m sorry your friend left, that’s always traumatic. The dish turned out beautifully though. I’ve never made sourdough starter, but I’d like to try once I have my own kitchen again.
Anh, your talk of apples have me wishing for autumn here in Va. It is blazingly hot right now. It looks so delicious…Apple and Custard in one !
It’s so difficult to leave or be left by someone who you’ve really connected with. I really do feel for you. Big hugs to you.
first time on ur blog ..looks so tasty
good blog u have here 
http://www.rvkitchentreats.blogspot.com
Dear Anh, oh yes…saying good bye is a hard thing to do. And we will probably have to do a lot more of that considering that we have family and friends in diffierent countries.
hey Anh,
Lucy, do try Dan Lepard’s book. It’s worth every penny spent! :)
Awww…I’m sorry about your friend moving away, but it will give you a good excuse to visit her in Malaysia. This Apple Custard Loaf looks melt in your mouth delicious, and such a pretty presentation in the leaf plate.
I guess that that is the way life is at times but I hate saying goodbye to friends and loved ones as we each must move on with our lives… I strive hard to maintain the connections but sometimes, we never can go back to that place…
There is nothing so sweet as to have a close friend to share a bit of tea and a treat. Thanks for sharing a bit of her & this umptuous cake.
Sad that your friend moved away, but at least with the internet it’s not so bad as it used to be. What a lovely looking cake, I have to make this because I want a piece right now!
Anh, I’m pretty sure that your blog will help to cover the distance – your friends will always be able to have a glimpse at your life!
I have a very good friend who was a neighbor but recently moved away to another state. (sigh) I miss her so much and I know how you feel!
Oh Anh, you’re killing me. At this rate, with the number of your recipes that I want to try, my blog is just going to become a dedication to you 😉
Belinda, that leaf plate is one of my top fav. I think all cakes look great on that green color!
lovely pics..they looked so delicious.
I have lived this situation so many times in my life. Living abroad has its pleasures, but departure hurts so much. Anh, I just love your pictures, this recipe looks soooo delicious!
Anh, good friends are hard to find, sweetie – even though you won’t be near each other, I know you’ll be close!
Your pics are just beautful!I come here just to take a look !
Anh
Apple just reminds me that summer is coming to an end pretty soon. Lovely loaf 😀
ironeaters, i would love to visit malaysia one day :)
I know what’s like to have close friends leave. But on the bright side, you get to travel and visit them! Apple and custard, sounds delicious!
That looks and sounds absolutely fabulous! Gorgeous!
wow…that looks so lovely…you have a great blog with wonderful pictures…
I have my share of saying goodbye to friends I made in Lanugage classes and at the university. It’s really sad but it gives us hope that we will see each other again soon. I have some friends who came back to France and visited me
Dear Anh,
Looks really scrumptious. I would eat this warm with vegan vanilla ice cream on top.
I have no doubt that your friendship is a true gift. Beautiful post and recipe. I hope that your friends’absence was made easier by a little slice of this loaf.
This looks out of this world delicious! If only I could find enough courage to make this…
Oh Anh, do not despair. Just get yerself to the nearest asian grocery for one of those “hello” calling cards. You’ll be hearing their voices again in no time and it’ll only cost you a fraction of what you’d pay on telstra or optus. ;)
Hi there, I like your blog! Nice recipe it looks yummy
Feel free to visit my blog too :)