November 30, 2009

on a cake kick

Sometimes I become obsessed with certain foods. Prime example--my mission to find the best chicken wrap in all of the Capital Region.


Usually, though, the fixation is of the sweet and sugary variety. That's the case with my latest infatuation--apple cake.

In addition to my beloved apple dapple cake, I’ve recently tried two other recipes with delightful and drool-worthy results. After taking a one-tenth-of-a-second glimpse of Kate’s caramel apple cake, I decided to test it out too.

The recipe doesn’t differ much from my apple dapple cake. In fact, the only divergence is that a combination of white and brown sugar is used in both the cake and the glaze. Being a self-proclaimed apple cake connoisseur, I decided to make a few adjustments of my own. I used applesauce in lieu of most of the oil and also added a bit of whole wheat flour in place of some of the all-purpose flour. Now before you get all worked up about me trying to make this more healthy, I guess I should mention another change I made--I doubled the glaze. It’s been well-documented that I have a mean sweet tooth and I make no excuses. I doubled the glaze, dang it, and it was good.


I did one other thing about which I'm quite excited--I tossed some marshmallows into the batter. While they completely disappeared into the baked cake, a subtle hint of their flavor (a taste that I find particularly enjoyable) still remained. It's my belief that they dissolved into the cake and migrated upwards, forming a little bit of a crust on top. Yes, I'll be pulling this trick again.

Future apple cakes to try? Lisa's apple and cream cheese cake, Sandie's toffee apple upside-down cake, and Melanie's apple cider pudding cake.

Another Amazing Apple Cake
(based heavily on this recipe)

1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup applesauce
3 eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 Honeycrisp apples, diced
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup mini marshmallows

Caramel Glaze:
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
pinch of salt
1 cup milk

Preheat oven to 325F. Butter and flour a 13x9 inch pan.
In a medium bowl, beat both sugars, oil, and applesauce until well-blended. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla.
In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Gradually add the sugar mixture until just blended. Fold in the apples and pour the batter into the prepared pan.
Bake for 60-75 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in the pan whilst making the glaze.
To make the glaze, melt the butter in saucepan over low heat. Stir in both sugars and salt and cook over medium low heat for 2 minutes. Add the milk and boil for 5 more minutes, stirring constantly. Poke holes in the cake with a fork or skewer. Pour on the glaze and let set.

57 comments:

  1. You know, a little obsession every now and then isn't such a bad thing. As an unanticipated side effect, you could start to smell like apple cake. Now there's an unforseen bonus!

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  2. I'd have doubled the glaze too. You really can't have too much of a good thing. Marshmallows? I never would have thought of that. I'll have to try that...

    I think you're now officially the Queen of the Apple Cakes.

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  3. this is not a bad obsession to have!

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  4. I was worried a bit that you were going all healthy on us with the whole wheat flour, but happy to see that's offset by the x2 glaze. It looks perfect!

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  5. I've gotten obsessed with things before, too--I can relate. Your cake looks delicious and the marshmallow trick is awesome. Nice job.

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  6. Apple cake with a hint of marshmallows? I may be in heaven..
    This is definitely worth being obsessed over.

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  7. I'd double the glaze too! Apples and caramel were made for each other.

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  8. Marshmallows in the batter? You are an evil genius!

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  9. As soon as I saw the words 'caramel' and 'apple' I knew I had to make this! mmmmm!

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  10. I'm glad you posted this, I've still got tons of apples to use! And that marshmallow idea is a fantastic little trick to have up my sleeve, I'll definitely be trying that out!

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  11. This is quite interesting check out David Lebovitz today. He also posted an apple cake. I love your site.

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  12. Ooooh, clever on the marshmallow trick. I'll have to try that. (Oh and the doubling the glaze thing? Brilliant.)

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  13. I guess as far as obsessions go this would be the least harmful- well unless your eating them all the time, everday, every meal. Good gats.

    Looks yummy Grace. I wish I had a piece of all these things you make for breakfast every morning.

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  14. Grace, looks like an interesting cake; full of different flavors & textures.

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  15. Well, I must admit that I can't past up apple cake. I consider them healthy since they contain fruit. OK any baked good that contains fruit or vegetables is healthy...right?
    Mimi

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  16. Well, an apple cake kick is a nice kick to be on. Not for your hips, maybe, but nice, nonetheless.

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  17. I think all glazes are meant to be doubled, and I have to try that marshmallow trick! Thanks for the link too!

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  18. No need to justify this pursuit! I totally understand and this is a noble pursuit! :D

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  19. Look absolutely yummy Grace! xx gloria

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  20. I LOVED your quest to find the perfect wrap! I'll love this quest as well! And you are off to a good start!

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  21. Wow, your apple cake cure looks delicious...it is a must try!

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  22. i LOVEEE that there is marshmallows! YUMM!
    -Mini Baker

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  23. If you're going to be on a kick, a cake kick is the one to be on! Sounds just delicious.

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  24. The cake sounds amazing and I love the double caramel glaze!

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  25. Go Grace Go! I'll happily read about your apple cake fixation anyday :) I understand about fixations though, mine are cupcakes, and more recently macarons and yeasty things (not at the same time)

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  26. Hey Grace, I agree, apple cakes rock! Doubling the glaze...a great idea! I will give your modifications a try.

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  27. How fun and delicious! I love the addition of marshmallows...yum!

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  28. I actually have your original apple dapple cake printed out to try soon. Now which one do I make? Oh goodness, life's choices.

    Looks fabulous, as always!

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  29. My apple cake file is getting thicker and thicker, due to your obsession, Grace!
    But I think you may have reached some sort of nirvana here with the marshmallows (just about my most favorite thing) and the doubled glaze.

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  30. I love lemon the way you love apple, it seems. Favourites always have a way of repeating themselves in the kitchen.

    The glaze makes this cake for me - smart choice doubling it!

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  31. I'm going to have to say, Grace...you are making me love apples. I have never been the biggest fan of them myself; though I am obsessed with apple picking. But you've made me want to attempt to create all sorts of magic using apples and your recipes. Love it! :)

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  32. I wish we were neighbors so I could have a huge slice of this tasty cake.

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  33. Yummy, I must try this, I adore apples and adding marshmallows, quite the experiment, Love it!

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  34. oh my... i have a killer recipe too that just needs your glaze... i know what i'm doing this week

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  35. This is a wonderful cake...the house must have smelled fantastic when it was baking.

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  36. I am glad that you are going through a cake obsession-because these are the fabulous recipes that you prepare and share with all your foodie friends.

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  37. Haha you're hilarious. I love your marshmellow theory :) Let me know how you chicken wrap hunt turns out!

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  38. I'm a firm believer in doubling all glazes!! Sooo...did you pop a marshmallow or two in your mouth while you were stirring it all up? :) It's a beauty you got there.

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  39. Apple cakes? The one time obsessions can be considered a 'good' thing :)

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  40. Mmmmmm, it sounds great from the get go but you sealed the deal with the addition of marshmallows! Can't wait to see the rest of you apple cake creations!
    ~ingrid

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  41. Apple cake, applesauce cake...it's all good. Have you tried it with meringue? Yep, that's good, too. So many apple cakes, so little time.

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  42. I can alsmost smell the cinnamon and apple from here! That looks like one of the best cakes I've seen in quite a while, delish!

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  43. I think you are the apple cake pro! Marshmallow migration is a good thing.

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  44. I'm not a big fan of commercial marshmallows but apple cake could sway me. I love apple baked goods!

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  45. Oh, Grace...I get on kicks too (my latest has been anything with sweetened condensed milk, which is unusual and weird, I know), but I do hope you get around to trying that Toffee-Apple Upside Down Cake---it is so, so good. I think you're going to love it!

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  46. that looks absolutely moist and delicious!

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  47. This does look good. I love your addition of marshmallows too - nice.

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  48. You can never have enough apple cake recipes :) The marshmallows sound great in it!

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  49. I LOVE that you put marshmallows in there!!

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