A Southern Grace: apple of my eye*

November 10, 2009

apple of my eye*

Yum

*What?!? I don't get it. I think I'll start saying "acai of my eye" instead, just for kicks. And because it rhymes.

Is it just me, or are the sides of this cake two different colors?
I hope I'm never forced to pick my favorite fruit--it'd be way too hard. I love them all, really--bananas for a filling snack, blueberries for an enhanced yogurt-granola experience, dried cranberries for a tart and chewy salad addition, etc, etc. Right now, however, I think I most highly value the apple.

Pies, cobblers, crisps, cakes--is there any fruit dessert for which the apple is not appropriate? I submit that there is not. I've been down the road to Applecakeville once or twice before, but since it's a place I really enjoy visiting, I went back using a different route.

You say 'Goopy,' I say 'Get in my belly!'
How do I describe this cake? Well folks, the air is dry. The skin on my hands is cracking and peeling and screaming for hourly lotion applications. My hair looks like I stuck my finger in an electrical socket. This cake, however, is so incredibly moist that it can easily combat all that desiccation.

While the moist-iosity is the defining characteristic of this cake for me, there are other redeeming qualities. The spices are redolent, the apples are softened yet still a tad toothy, the coconut (my addition) is crunchy and flavorful. It has a tender crumb, which is appropriate since I found the base recipe on Linda's awesome blog of the same name. Also, although the original recipe didn't originally call for apple butter**, it was a marvelous and valuable component if I do say so myself.

A spoonful of apple butter helps the medicine go down.
**Incidentally, apple butter is quickly becoming my favorite condiment, approaching and about to overtake pepper jelly. I shall enjoy letting the two fight it out.

Mega-Moist Muffin Cake
(inspired by this recipe)

1/2 cup milk
1 cup apple butter
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup old-fashioned oats
3 cups apples, diced
1 cup coconut, toasted

Preheat oven to 400F degrees. Spray down an 8x8-inch pan.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the milk, apple butter, egg, vanilla, and melted butter. In a separate large bowl, blend together the flour, sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, and oats to combine thoroughly. Using a large rubber spatula, pour the liquid mixture into the dry ingredients and mix only until combined (less is better). Fold in the diced apples and pour batter into prepared pan. Sprinkle the top with the toasted coconut.
Bake for 35-40 minutes, until the cake is golden brown and a knife inserted into the cake center comes out clean. Let cool before cutting into squares, rectangles, circles, or what-have-you.

61 comments:

Barbara said...

Love it, Grace. I always have apple butter in my pantry- my favorite is to serve it with brie and a slice of chicken on sourdough bread-tucked under a broiler for a bit.
The coconut addition gives your apple cake that little extra oomph! And maybe a crunchy topping? (says she hopefully)

oneordinaryday said...

Looks delish. And I'm quite sure the Webster's people are gonna jump all over "moist-iosity" in their next edition!!

Albany Jane said...

Oh man, there's this one apple-peanut butter pie I really want to try out. I think you're really pushing me to do it for Turkey Day.

And, man do I love a nice crisp apple. The only kind I really don't like are macintoshes. Pink Lady apples are tops in my book though - so perfectly crisp, tart, and sweet!

Kathy Walker said...

Coconut? Wow! I am so into this...I love moist apple cakes and with coconut it has to be fab! Thanks for sharing.

Ingrid_3Bs said...

I just bought about bunch of apples to start my apple filled baking. This looks like a good place to start.
~ingrid

♥peachkins♥ said...

yumyum. Perfect recipe for the season..

Rachel said...

apple butter sounds scrumptious and it does look really really moist!

vanillasugarblog said...

mega-moist!!! hey "mega-moist cooking with gracie". a good idea for a cooking show, no?

Dolce said...

That's a nice cake indeed... I like that you used applebutter in there as well. Therefore I can pretend it's healthy because it's loaded with fruits...

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

It looks fantastic! A deliciously moist treat!

Cheers,

Rosa

Lyndas recipe box said...

I MUST make this-I want it now! With these yummy ingredients it has to be so moist and delicious; my hubby will be thrilled!

Leslie said...

um..yes please. I will let you bake that for me!
Come down to Florida in the 100% humidity and you will not have anymore skin crackage!

Lisa said...

I have been looking for recipes with Apple Butter lately. I had several I planned to try before I got the flu. Now I'm a month behind but I will still be adding this one to the list. It sounds wonderful!

Pam said...

Apples are one of my favorite fruits too. I love that you used apple butter in this recipe and coconut. YUM!

kat said...

Yeah, now is apple time & they are the star in our house too!

Hungry Dog said...

I love apples too, and agree that they belong in many desserts! They actually go with quite a few savory things as well. This cake looks awesome and appley delicious.

pam said...

Someone just gave me a jar of apple butter! I know what I'm making with it!

Jennifer said...

Wow that looks good, really really good!

Jaime said...

that looks so good and moist! :)

Melanie said...

I'd say coconut is a brilliant addition to this cake! Looks delish.

Jacqueline Meldrum said...

Such lovely flavours in this cake and the addition of coconut was frankly quite inspired!

Mimi said...

I love apple cakes. They always seem so healthy, at least in my mind.
Mimi

Donna-FFW said...

Oh I dont think anything sounds better than this right now. Apples, coconut,oats, and apple butter. You make me want to go out and get some. Now. To make this.

Half Baked said...

coconut and apple! great combo, looks divine!!

Nic said...

You know the best flavour combinations Grace, this cake looks so moreish!

lisaiscooking said...

This sounds like everything you could want in an apple cake! The apple butter sounds great too.

Marjie said...

This is the season of the apple, and apple foods are highly appropriate at this time. How could it not be your favorite fruit this month? Your cake looks wonderful.

Karen said...

Looks amazing! I can't wait to try this one.

Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella said...

Grace, I need to not visit your site before I've eaten. Fiorst the muffin then a closeup of the apple butter and then a link the pepper jelly? Arrggh!

Jessica@Foodmayhem said...

I'm always afraid of winter. I get super dry too and my skin starts cracking. Not fun. Maybe I should make this, purely for medicinal purposes of course.

Faith said...

This combines so many of my favorites...apples, oats, coconut...what's not to love?! And I owe you a big THANK you, because I need delicious recipes like this to help me use up my apples!

La Cuisine d'Helene said...

Looks moist and delicious. Perfect Fall dessert.

Cate O'Malley said...

I love a good, moist, appley cake. And apple butter. New convert to the stuff. Yum in a jar.

Anonymous said...

I love, love, love apple season... almost as much as I love any baked good with apple in it. :) This looks awesome... pass the apple butter!

MaryBeth said...

I so love apple picken season...everything apple all the time. This looks fabulous my friend Grace.

Jacque said...

Oooh, I love apple butter, especially spread over buttered English muffins... sigh...

Anyway, you've got another fabulous apple cake there. Feel free to send me the leftovers :)

giz said...

I like what you did with the apple butter - hmmm - I'll bet it made it a completely different cake- er muffin cake. I like it.

Deborah said...

Apples and coconut - I'm sold!!

shaz said...

This is moist definitely one stunning muffin cake! And apple butter? Where has that been all my life?

LilSis said...

I love every single thing about this moist cake, from the apple butter to the coconut! Such a great idea to add the coconut!

Unknown said...

you gotta love moist!! you did a fantastical job....btw...I love your made up words...they crack me up :)

Anonymous said...

Sounds amazing! The addition of coconut and the use of apple butter is just excellent!

nora@ffr said...

Oh my goodness,this looks mouth watering!! How delicious!

The Blonde Duck said...

Can I just come over? I really need some of this.

Gloria Baker said...

I love apples in all and these look mouth watering and delicious, gloria

Suze said...

Apples, toasted coconut, AND super moist? Yum yum!

Bunny said...

It sounds heavenly Grace! I'm all about apples in the fall! Your apple butter looks light in color to what you get in the store, is it homemade???

Lori said...

Acai of my eye. You are too funny.

This sounds absolutely wonderfully delicious!

Penny said...

Grace, As usual your prose is as beautiful as your food. I am hoping that you will consider giving all of us a look at the kitchen where all of this happens. Visit my blog for the details. I am a kitchen stalker for sure.

Robin said...

I like the word toothy. This cake looks delicious, I can almost smell it! I like that you added the coconut, great choice Grace!

Sandie (Inn Cuisine) said...

While you're letting apple butter and pepper jelly battle it out, dare I throw pear butter into the mix? It would put up a noble fight as well ;)

Dewi said...

I never get enough of apple, love it so much, I can eat it just like that or bake it into something sweet and delightful.

Looks mighty delicious!

George Gaston said...

Grace, what a delicious moist looking cake filled with so many great ingredients. I am definitely going to try this incredible recipe. Thanks

kimberleyblue said...

The coconut on that cake looks sooo good! What an interesting combination; I don't think I've considered apple and coconut going together. But now that you mention it....it sounds great!

Chef Jeena said...

Oooh I love a good moist cake to sink my teeth into, this looks amazing. I would also happily eat the sauce off that spoon - gorgeous!

Cara said...

The coconut sounds awesome in here, and along with the oats, I bet this cake has such a great bite. I could go for some now!

Peter M said...

Apple butter. Now that's an ingredient I have to add into my pantry. Am i guaranteed moist cakes like this? Sign your assurance!

Maris said...

Looks delish - can't go wrong with apple butter!

Cafe Fashionista said...

All I care about come fall is apples, and everything made with them. This is heaven! :)

Erica said...

Wow! What a delicious recipe! Love your blog :)

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Bella Hakkinen