Lots of apple flavor and low fat makes this cake a natural for apple lovers. The apples don't need to be peeled, but can be peeled if desired. The addition of dried cranberries and chopped walnuts adds a lot of flavor and a little crunch. With a minimum of of butter and egg, the flavor and moisture comes from the apples and apple cider. A simple glaze of confectioner's sugar made with apple cider tops it off perfectly.
There are many varieties of apples to choose from. A crisp, slightly tart apple works very well in this recipe. A less crisp apple may make it even more moist and crumbly. Part of the appeal is the wonderful smell as this cake bakes, but the flavor is the clincher.
Apple Cake Recipe
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries, or raisins
- 1/2 cup apple cider
Pour 1/2 cup of apple cider into a 1 cup measuring cup, add 1/2 cup of dried cranberries and set aside to soak while getting the rest of the ingredients ready.
- 6 TBS butter, softened
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 egg, room temperature
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 tsp cinnamon, Saigon cinnamon is best
- 1/2 tsp Chinese five spice, 1/2 tsp nutmeg can be substituted
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- 3 medium size apples, unpeeled, cut into thin slices, and each slice cut into 2 pieces
How to make the cake:
- Preheat the oven to 350°. Cream the butter with the sugar until fluffy, add the egg and beat again.
- Add the vanilla and spices to the butter and sugar, mixing thoroughly.
- Add the salt, baking soda and baking powder to the flour. Beat the flour mixture into the butter mixture alternately with the apple cider after it has been poured off of the cranberries.
- Stir in the apple slices, plumped cranberries and chopped walnuts, stirring until evenly mixed.
- Spread the mixture evenly into a buttered 8" square baking pan and bake 35 to 40 minutes.
For the Glaze
Mix 2 TBS apple cider with 2/3 cup confectioner's sugar until smooth. Spread the glaze on the cake while it is still warm.
This cake can be served warm, and is great with ice cream. Apple cake should be eaten within two to three days. That probably won't be a problem because it is so good, it will disappear like magic. Kids of all ages will be back for seconds. With so much flavor, nobody will guess it's low in fat.
Corinne Shibley - Corinne Shibley studied sculpture in art history and created her own sculpture on the way to a B.A. in Studio Art. "There's something ...
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