“In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: It Goes On.”
Robert Frost

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Apple Cookie Cake Recipe

Yesterday was a cool rainy fall day....the perfect day to bake.  Since I promised you an apple recipe, I chose one that uses almost all of the apple. Most recipes call for peeling the apples and throwing away the most beautiful part! Not this recipe, that gorgeous red peel enhances the color and texture. Sometimes my husband fusses about my time spent blogging, except when I post a dessert! To my husbands delight, he gets to eat this yummy Apple Cookie Cake.

First let's talk about apples. I strongly urge you to use organic apples in the recipe or in anything where you will be eating the skin of the apple. My choice in this recipe was a local Paula Red apple. We visited several orchards and I picked up three varieties. They were the Paula Red, Chestnut Crab and Sweet Sixteen.




This first photo shows the gorgeous Paula Red apples.








These are the cute little Chestnut Crab apples.  They are about the size of a golf ball. They look pretty in my Mom's Fire King Jadeite mixing bowl.






All together now....
from bottom left.... Chestnut Crab, Sweet Sixteen and Paula Red apples.



Apple Cookie Cake

Base Ingredients:
     1/3          cup butter
  1                cup  all-purpose flour
     1/3          cup  sugar
  2                tablespoons  chopped crystallized ginger
                       
Filling Ingredients:
     2/3          cup  sugar (or a bit less if your apples are quite sweet)
     1/4          cup  all-purpose flour
     3/4          teaspoon  baking powder
     1/2          teaspoon  ground cinnamon
     1/2          teaspoon  ground ginger
     1/4          teaspoon  salt
  2                eggs
  2                tablespoons firmly packed brown sugar
  2                medium  red skin apples -- (2 cups) unpeeled, chopped
                    (I used Paula Red Organic Apples)
 
                       
Directions:
Heat oven to 350°F. Melt butter in 2-quart saucepan over medium-low heat. Continue cooking, stirring constantly and watching closely, until butter just starts to turn golden (3 to 5 minutes). Immediately remove from heat. Add 1 cup flour, 1/3 cup sugar and crystallized ginger; mix well. This mixture will be dry and crumbly. Press into bottom of ungreased 8-inch square baking pan.

Combine 2/3 cup sugar, 1/4 cup flour, baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, ground ginger and 1/4 teaspoon salt in large bowl. Stir in eggs until smooth. Stir in apples; pour over crust. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons brown sugar evenly over filling.

Bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean and top is golden brown. Cool at least 30 minutes before cutting.


Adapted from: Land O Lakes 

Craving to know more about apples? Click here for varieties and uses.




Before being eaten... crunchy cookie crust, caramel 
apple filling and whipped cream on top!




After.... yum.... My hubbies second piece; 
the empty plate next to his favorite coffee mug.



Next week .... more photos from the Autumn Market and a story about a Wee Old Woman! No, NOT me!! Hope you are all having a great weekend!              ~~Diane~~



14 comments:

  1. Mmmmm, this DOES look good! I like the idea of a cookie crust and using the skin of the apples.

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  2. You made me laugh about the Wee Old Woman! LOL! My mouth is watering from the apples and the recipe! Thanks Diane ;o) All the Best ;o)

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  3. Mmmmm....mmmmmm.....this looks soooo good! The smell of apples baking is reason enough to make this! Thanks for sharing this wonderful recipe.

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  4. Ooooh, yum! Of course when I have time to cook/bake (this weekend), we have the threat of power outages :( But this looks like a great recipe! Thank you.

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  5. Diane - Apple desserts are absolutely my favorite and this looks like one I definitely will have to try. I can understand why your hubby would be on his second piece by the way that looks. Thanks so much for sharing this recipe. Hope you got a piece of that dessert or did hubby eat it all ?(LOL).

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  6. Yum! You have no idea how hungry this post just made me – enough of this virtual apple cake already!!! How I wish I could sit at your kitchen table and enjoy a slice.

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  7. Hi Diane...how delish this dessert looks! not surprised you have empty plates...Hugs Maria x

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  8. Looks divine, wishing I had some in front of me right now.

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