Baking · Do-ahead

Easy chunky apple cake

This is delicious and so easy.

Ingredients for the cake

1/2 cup butter, softened
2 cups sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract (real)
2 large eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
6 cups chopped, peeled tart apples (I use granny Smith)

Butterscotch sauce

1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup butter, cubed
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

Directions

1/ Preheat the oven to 350F and grease a 13 x 9 x 2 baking dish with butter

2/ Cream butter, sugar and vanilla in a large bowl. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.

3/ Combine flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and baking soda in another bowl. Gradually add to the creamed mixture and mix well. The batter will be stiff. Stir in the apples until well combined.
Spread it into the prepared pan. bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until the top is lightly browned and springs back when lightly touched. Cool for 30 minutes before serving.

4/ Meanwhile combine the brown sugar and butter in a small saucepan. Cook over a medium heat until the butter is melted. Gradually add the cream and bring to a slow boil over medium heat, stirring constantly until it turns the caramel/butterscotch color and is smooth. Remove from the heat.

Serve with the cake. Yield 12 to 14 servings

 

Baking · Do-ahead · Nuts

Pumpkin-Apple Streusel Coffee cake

This is from the food blog, “One Perfect Bite” and is gorgeous!

Apples
3 tbsp unsalted butter
4 cups diced peeled cored Granny Smith apples (about 4 large)
3 tbsp sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon

Cake
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup firmly packed golden brown sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into pieces, room temperature
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 cup toasted chopped walnuts
3/4 cup canned pure pumpkin
1/3 cup sour cream
2 tbsp sugar
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp baking soda
2 large eggs

Prepare the apples; Melt butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add apples; saute until apples begin to brown, about 5 minutes.
Add sugar and cinnamon and saute until golden brown, about 3 minutes longer. Cool.

Prepare cake;  Preheat the oven to 350 F. Butter a 9 inch diameter springform pan. Combine flour, brown sugar, butter and salt in a large bowl. Using the electric mixer beat until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Place walnuts in a small bowl. Add 2/3 cup of crumb mixture to nuts and set aside.
Beat pumpkin, sour cream, 2 tbsp sugar, spice and baking soda into remaining flour mixture, beating just until smooth.
Beat in the eggs. Transfer the batter to the pan. Scatter the apples evenly over the top.
Sprinkle reserved topping over the apples.

Bake the cake;  Transfer pan to the oven and bake until the topping is golden brown and tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 1 hour 10 minutes.
Cool cake in pan on rack for about 20 minutes. Run a knife around the pan sides to loosen cake. Release the pan sides from the cake. Transfer the cake to a platter.
(Can be made 6 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature)
Serve warm or at room temperature with ice cream.

Serves 6 – 8

 

 

Egg based · Gluten Free · Grains · Meat

Bacon and leek risotto with poached egg

Serves 6
PREP TIME: 50 minutes
TOTAL TIME: 50 minutes
Recipe c/o Jill Duplex
 
So tasty and comforting!
 
Ingredients
6 large eggs
5 cups chicken broth
1 tablespoon olive oil
6 slices thick-cut bacon, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch pieces
2 cups thinly sliced leeks (white and pale green parts only; about 2 large)
1 1/2 cups arborio rice or medium-grain white rice (about 10 ounces)
3/4 cup dry white wine
3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh Italian parsley
1 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan cheese
Fresh Italian parsley leaves (for garnish)
Additional finely grated Parmesan cheese (for garnish)
Preparation
Bring large skillet of water just to simmer over medium-low heat. Sprinkle water with salt. 
Working with 1 egg at a time, crack into small bowl and slide egg into simmering water. 
Cook eggs until whites are cooked through but yolks are still runny, 3 to 4 minutes. 
Using slotted spoon, carefully transfer poached eggs to medium bowl filled with ice water.
 
 DO AHEAD Eggs can be made up to 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate in same bowl of ice water
 
Bring broth to simmer in medium saucepan; cover to keep warm. Heat oil in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add bacon and cook until crisp, stirring occasionally. 
Using slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper towels to drain. Add leeks to drippings in pan; cook until soft but not brown, stirring often, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer 2 generous tablespoonfuls leeks to small bowl; reserve for garnish. 
Add rice to pan; stir 1 to 2 minutes. Add wine; stir until absorbed, about 2 minutes.
Add 1/2 cup warm broth to saucepan; stir until broth is absorbed. Repeat adding broth and stirring until rice is tender but still firm to bite and sauce is creamy, stirring almost constantly, about 23 minutes total.
 Add bacon, chopped parsley, butter, and 2 tablespoons cheese. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Meanwhile, heat poached eggs in medium skillet of simmering water just until heated through, 1 to 2 minutes.
Divide risotto among 6 bowls. Top risotto in each bowl with poached egg. 
Sprinkle egg with salt and pepper. 
Sprinkle with parsley leaves, additional cheese, and reserved leeks.