dress for success

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.