I confess to being an apple addict. I LOVE apples in any form. Nothing beats a homemade chunky applesauce, except perhaps the new crop of apples straight off the tree in the fall. But, when it comes to cooking with apples, I am not necessarily the most patient person in the world. It seems to take forever to peel, core and slice enough apples for a decent size pie.
So when I was searching one day for a quick recipe using apples, I was delighted to find this recipe that does not require peeling the apples. I was also delighted to discover how tasty it is! While this cake is definitely best served slightly warm, preferably with a generous amount of fresh whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, it is still pretty darned tasty served at room temperature. And, there’s always the microwave to reheat leftovers.
INGREDIENTS
For a 9 x 13 pan – 12-16 servings
2 sticks butter (1 cup) softened
1/2 cup brown sugar
8 firm cooking apples – Gala are a good variety for this recipe
1 cup white sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 cup milk
2 medium eggs
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9 x 13 pan with cooking spray. Place one stick of butter in the pan and put in the oven until the butter melts. Remove from heat and sprinkle brown sugar over top. Mix butter and brown sugar together.
Cut 6 of the apples into quarters and cut out core. Cut each quarter in half again to give 8 wedges from each apple. Arrange the apple pieces in rows on top of the brown sugar mixture in the baking pan. Place in the oven for about 10 minutes to let apples begin to cook.
Meanwhile, in a separate bowl combine flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Grate remaining two apples. (Leave skin on) Place remaining stick of butter in a mixing bowl. Beat in the cup of white sugar and the two eggs. Beat in the vanilla. Add 1/2 cup of milk, then 1/2 of the flour mixture. Repeat with the other 1/2 cup of milk and the rest of the flour. Mix in grated apple. Drop this batter by tablespoons over the apples until evenly distributed in pan. Some of the sauce may ooze up around the batter. Bake for about 35 to 40 minutes at 350 degrees or until top is golden brown and cake tester comes out clean.
Scoop out into bowls or plates so apples and sauce are on top. Add ice cream or whipped cream. Enjoy!
The White Oak Inn
http://www.whiteoakinn.com
Yvonne Martin
Proud to be the Ohio broad