A Southern Grace: dress for success

February 29, 2016

dress for success

Yum

I have an uncommon dilemma and I wasn't sure if I felt comfortable putting it out there or not. It seems I have decided to share.


I bought my wedding dress last month, and I just love it. I tried on more than a few clunkers, but when I put this one on, it was like the sky opened up and the angels starting singing. However, the store didn't have my size in stock and I had to order it online. Unfortunately, what I received is too big, and since I could stand to put on a little padding anyway, I've tasked myself with gaining some weight before the big day.


I don't intend to go crazy and shotgun milkshakes or stuff my face with french fries, but I am making a conscious effort to eat more food, especially including my favorite course, dessert. That's where this cake comes in. I wanted something easy and delicious to which I could treat myself each day, and this is what came to mind! The cake itself isn't particularly sinful, but that glaze (not coincidentally the most bestest and decadent part) is pretty helpful in upping my calorie count. Plus, this is the kind of cake that stays moist for days*.

*Full disclosure: I used coconut oil instead of vegetable oil for the first time, and there seemed to be a noticeable difference in the overall moistness of the cake, the day it was made and even more so a couple of days later. Though it pains me to say it, I think vegetable oil might be a better choice in this instance, and you must never EVER replace that butter in the glaze! I didn't, I wouldn't, no one ever should.

Now if only I could get that extra padding to lodge itself onto just a few certain areas of my body...

Dappled Apple Cake
(printable recipe)
Makes 12 servings
Ingredients:
Cake:
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1-1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3 large eggs, beaten
  • 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted (vegetable oil is fine, nay, better)
  • 1 cup applesauce
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3 cups finely chopped apples
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
Glaze:
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1/4 cup milk
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 13x9-inch pan and set aside.
In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Make a well in the center and set aside.
In a medium bowl, combine eggs, oil, applesauce, and vanilla.
Add the wet mixture to dry ingredients and stir just until moistened.
Stir in apples and pecans.
Spread into prepared pan and bake 40-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.
For the glaze, combine the brown sugar, butter, and milk in a small saucepan.
Cook until all of the sugar is dissolved and the mixture has been at a full boil for about one minute.
Cool slightly, then drizzle over the warm cake so it can seep in and keep things moist and completely irresistible.

22 comments:

Rosa said...

So soft looking! A divine cake.

Cheers,

Rosa

Alicia Foodycat said...

That sounds great! I'm glad you found the perfect dress.

Unknown said...

apple cake is one of my favorites! love the recipe! thanks for sharing!

Marsha | Marsha's Baking Addiction said...

I love apple cakes! This looks so delicious, soft and moist!

Colleen said...

You had me at butter glaze!!! Looks absolutely scrummy!

kellypea said...

Now, you *could* have it tailored. Love handles are highly overrated. ;) Love getting your posts by email. Memory lane material.

Elsa | the Whinery said...

The cake looks amazing and delicious, I'd love a slice right about now. Congrats on the dress! :-)

Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella said...

Oooh will we get to see pics of the wedding? I hope so!! :D

Angie's Recipes said...

A great chance to eat more cakes, Grace. This apple cake looks super.

Valentina said...

This cake looks so easy and yummy! Can't say having to gain weight is a bad problem to have. Pass the cake, please! ;)

Pam said...

Wouldn't it be nice to be able to decide where the extra padding could go? You are lucky you need to gain weight - it's much more fun!

The cake looks and sounds divine.

All That I'm Eating said...

What an unusual dilemma! Although if it involves eating lots of cake then it's no bad thing!

Marjie said...

My daughter had a bridesmaid's dress tailored on one week's notice for a friend's wedding, and the little Vietnamese lady who fitted her just muttered, "Too skinny! Too skinny!" There must be someone around you who can alter it to fit; be wary of gaining too much weight, because the day will come when you can't lose it...Great cake, too.

Katerina said...

I am doing such an effort to stay thin I wouldn't have changed that for anything. Why don't you find someone to tailor it for you? My advice to you is gain weight if you need it not for the sake of a dress. The cake is divine btw!

Barbara said...

Your cake should do the trick..it looks delicious. (Wish someone would tell me to gain weight!!!)

Cheri Savory Spoon said...

Hi Grace, your cake looks so moist and I love, love that glaze. Wish you luck in gaining the weight where you want it, take care!

Unknown said...

ooh i love the warm apple flavours! YUM!

~~louise~~ said...

What Grace??? You got you wedding dress a month ago and you're only telling us now??!!

I actually don't disagree with you gaining weight to fit into your wedding dress, Grace. As long as you don't go on the junk food band wagon, I don't see any harm. As a matter of fact, the days leading up to the wedding can be a bit trying, better to have planned desserts such as this amazing Dappled Apple Cake, (love the name:) on hand rather than stuffing your face with whatever is available.

Thanks so much for the "reveal" Grace and, of course, for sharing this recipe...

Jenn said...

As your soon to be sister-in-law, I have some extra weight I would gladly share with you. 😉 In the meantime, I'll be making this apple cake to contribute to our parish's Fish Fry this Friday. It sounds perfect for it ... simple, yet delicious.

Adina said...

Well, that is something I've never heard before: putting on weight instead of trying to lose weight before the wedding! You are one lucky girl, if anything can make me jealous, than that! :)

Big Rigs 'n Lil' Cookies said...

Well, with this recipe, it looks like I will be gaining some weight with you!

Inger @ Art of Natural Living said...

I wish I could give you some of my padding Grace! I think the desserts should do it though, since any of my weight loss attempts fail when I am testing anything sweet. Can't help you out on the distribution--figure that out and you'll never need to work again!