Heat the oven to 150C/300F/Gas 2. Grease and line a 20cm/8in tin.
Sift the flour and salt together and rub in the margarine.
Sift in the sugar, sultanas and spices. Mix in the apples and then stir in the beaten eggs. Do not add any extra liquid even if the mixture seems a bit stiff. The moisture and flavour comes from the apples in the baking.
Bake in the oven for 1½-2 hours or until a skewer when inserted into the cake comes out clean.
Serve warm or cold, dusted with icing sugar.