Easy As 1, 2, 3 Apple Cake

I have to start making smaller portions of meals and desserts, now that two of my kids are back in college and the other is working all the time.  On most nights, it's just me and the hubby.  I have never in my life cooked or baked for just two people, and that my friends is hard when you are used to cooking for five or more.

So, I am getting on the ball and changing the way I cook.  I don't mind having something leftover, but I don't want enough leftover to feed and army of people.  I have to rethink the way I cook and bake, so as to not waste food.  Smaller portions, make a smaller me and the hubby!

I started last week with the Filet Mignon I made, check out that blog on September 18.  This week I made an Easy Apple Cake for dessert.

Recipe Below.

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I always start my baking by getting everything out and at my fingertips so I don't forget anything.  Here, I sliced my apples and sprinkled them with cinnamon sugar, and measured everything out.  So, apples ready and eggs and sugar ready to be mixed.

Beat eggs and sugar until light and fluffy.

They should be a pale yellow color.   Then add the flour 1/2 at a time...... 

......and mix after each.

Pour into a grease and floured baking pan, I used a round one.

Top with the cinnamon apples and just gently press them in a little.

And off to the oven it goes!

Almost done and the house smells fantastic!

And how good......

 does this look?  Dust with a little powdered sugar and.....

......a little scoop of vanilla bean ice cream and caramel sauce finishes it off.

Easy As 1,2,3 Apple Cake

Ingredients

2 medium size baking apples, McIntosh, Granny Smith are good

1/4 cup of cinnamon sugar

3 large eggs

1 cup of sugar

1 cup unbleached flour

1/4 teaspoon of cardamom, optional  or use 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract (see note)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Leave the skin on the apples and core and slice them.  Toss with the cinnamon sugar, set aside.  Spray a round baking pan with Bakers Joy, or just grease and flour the pan. Beat the eggs and the 1 cup of sugar in a medium mixing bowl, until almost white and fluffy.  Add 1/2 the flour and mix until combined, then add the other half and mix well.  Add the cardamom or the vanilla and mix completely.

Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, and arrange the apple slices in pattern of your choice, gently press into the batter, don't press all the way in you want to be able to see them.  Bake for 35-40 minutes (all ovens are different), or until a cake tester comes out clean.  If it doesn't get brown on top, I changed the setting on my oven to broil for about 1 minute to brown the top, be careful you have to watch it!  Serve with vanilla bean ice cream and caramel sauce. Makes 6-8 servings.

NOTE:  Cardamom is a strong and aromatic spice, and is commonly used in Swedish baking for cookies and cakes. It has citrus and herbal overtones.  It pairs well with cinnamon, nutmeg allspice, lemons and oranges.  It is on the pricey side, so if you don't want to purchase for this recipe just use vanilla.  

Cabbage and Apple Slaw

I'm back!  Took a much deserved breather, but I'm back and busy as ever.  My Lil' sis came over on Saturday to help me cook for Easter, and boy did we cook, I was crackin' the whip. I had a big spread for Easter brunch for all to enjoy and could not have gotten it all "shaked and baked" without her.  One of the side dishes we made was cole slaw to go with my baked ham.  This is how we made it.

These are some of the ingredients in my slaw recipe.  We made it with a bag of shredded cabbage and carrot mix and a half bag of shredded red cabbage, toss them together.  

 We used an empire apple, they are sweet.  Peel, core and shred the apple on the shred side of a box grater.  Toss that with fresh lemon juice, then squeeze the juice out of the apple.  Toss the apple with the cabbage.  Julienne two radishes and toss into the cabbage mixture.  Add in 1/2 cup of Craisins. Mix with 1/2 jar of Marzetti Original Cole Slaw Dressing and about 2 teaspoons of poppy seeds.  Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.  Stir before serving, if it is a little dry, stir in more dressing.  It is sweet, crunchy and so good!

How Do You Like Them Apples - Apple Cake

I love apples, any kind of apples, and I have tried them all kinds of ways.  With meat, in baking, in sauces, with dips, candied apples, you name it, I've tried it.  My son has been bugging me for Apple Cake so I made this cake yesterday.  It's great for dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, all by itself, or for breakfast with a cup of coffee or tea.  Recipe below.

Peel and core the apples.

A few of the ingredients, and cinnamon sugar coated apples.

Remember the Bakers Joy to spray your pan, It's the best!.  Folding in the apples.

 Ready to go in the oven.......And all done and ready to eat!

 HEY, Someone stole a piece already!

Apple Cinnamon Cake

5 - 6 Medium size baking apples

1/4 cup of sugar mixed with 1/2 tsp cinnamon

1 1/2 cups of flour

1 1/2 tsp of baking powder

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp salt

1 stick of butter, softened

1 cup of sugar

1 tsp lemon zest

2 large eggs

1 tsp vanilla

1/4 cup of milk, skim is fine

Heat oven to 375 degrees.  Spray a tube pan with Baker's Joy, or grease and flour the pan, set aside.  Peel, core and slice the apples.  Mix the apples with the 1/4 cup of sugar with cinnamon, set aside.  Combine the flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt in a small bowl, set aside.  In a large bowl beat butter, the 1 cup of sugar and lemon zest together until light and fluffy.  Beat in the eggs one at a time, vanilla, and then the milk until well mixed. Beat in the flour mixture gradually.  Fold in the apples and pour into prepared tube pan.  Bake in the center of the oven for 50 -60 minutes, or until a cake tester or toothpick inserted comes out clean.  Take out of the oven and let rest for 10 minutes, turn out onto a cooling rack and cool.  You can either dust with powdered sugar or glaze.  Glaze recipe is below.

GLAZE:  1 cup of powdered sugar, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1 tablespoon of milk.  Stir until no lumps appear, drizzle over cake.