Thursday, November 18, 2010

E: Apple Granola Cake

So close to Friday, I can feel it! How about you? I was excited to see all of the cool recipes each of you is making for your Thanksgiving dinner.  I am in charge of a side dish and a dessert. I wanted to switch up my dessert a bit, so I took a Joy of Baking recipe, and added my own twist to it. I made a trial cake yesterday (didn’t want to risk a failed experiment on Thanksgiving day).  I hope you enjoy:

applecake 003

Ingredients:

Cake

  • 2 medium apples, coarsely chopped ( I used Granny smith)
  • 1/3 cup of walnuts, chopped
  • 1-2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 ½ cups unbleached all purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup white sugar
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 6 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons milk

Granola Topping

  • ½ cup oats
  • ¼ cup walnuts
  • ½ tablespoon honey
  • ½ tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoon apple butter (you could probably use apple sauce here as well)
  • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon

Directions :

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C) and place rack in the center of the oven. Butter or spray with a non stick cooking spray, an 8 inch (20 cm) square baking pan (I used a Pyrex dish).

Peel, core, and coarsely chop the apples. Toss with 1 - 2 tablespoons of lemon juice.

applecake 006 

In the bowl of your electric mixer (or with a hand mixer), combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and ground cinnamon. Add the melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract and beat until fully incorporated.

applecake 007

Fold in the chopped nuts and apples. If the batter is thick, stir in the milk(I used the milk).

 applecake 008

Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and smooth the top.


Bake cake for ~10 minutes. Meanwhile, mix up the granola topping (mix well!!).

applecake 010

Remove the cake from oven and sprinkle with topping. Place cake back in the oven for ~35 minutes (or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean).

The result:

   applecake 012

 applecake 013

  applecake 015

 applecake 016

mmm…I have a feeling this is going to be super tasty with whipped cream or ice cream!

Just a reminder, you have until November 24 at noon to join the December Blogger Baked Goods Exchange. All you need to do is send an email to Mandi and I (itzyskitchen at gmail dot com) with your blog name, address & any dietary needs/food allergies/baked good preferences ;).

32 comments:

Lauren said...

I have a feeling this cake is good enough on its own but I'm sure the ice cream will just make it even more fabulous.

What I wouldn't give to have a seat at your Thanksgiving table my dear! :)
<3 <3

Susan said...

I love that you are making a cake! I am not a pie person at all and I would definitely appreciate some apple granola cake on my table this Thanksgiving.

Aggie said...

Oh that looks delicious! I love apple cake...granola puts it over the top!

Heather said...

Mmmmmmm.........I want to eat this for breakfast!! Yum!

CaSaundraLeigh said...

You can never go wrong with a baked apple dessert--they smell and taste SO good--double bonus! :-)

Heather @ Get Healthy with Heather said...

Yum! I just made some apple streusel cakes last night but I still have a ton of left over granny smiths so this will be great to try out!

Tiffany @ The Chi-Athlete said...

Momma says that I can make this for Christmas dinner. She NEVER lets us make anything. Lol! :P

Unknown said...

i love cooking with green apples! gives the flavor an extra 'umph!'

Jenna said...

Ohh, this cake would has my name all over it! Looks amazing.

Dawn Dishes It Out said...

Thank you for posting this! I have a ton of apples sitting on my counter that I had no idea what I was going to do with! Now I have some ideas.

Esi said...

Ooh, was thinking of making something similar soon. Thanks for reminding me!

hbobier said...

You make it look sooooo easy. Can I join the December Blogger Baked Goods Exchange just so you send me this? Just kidding... :)

The Blonde Duck said...

That was smart to do a trial cake!

Nutmeg Nanny said...

I love the oat topping!

Corey @ the runner's cookie said...

Ah I love apple cake! It makes for such a tasty dessert that isn't too heavy. I bet it would be great with ice cream!!

We Are Not Martha said...

That's an awesome take on a Thanksgiving dessert! My parents are SO into cooking that they literally don't let me do anything. My mom told me to make an "appetizer," but a "light" one. Ugh. I know a whole lot about turkey after Butterball... but my dad still knows more :)

SO happy tomorrow is Friday!

Sues

Krista said...

What a great cake, Erica! I'm sure everyone will LOVE it! :)

Biz said...

That looks like a winner! I love anything with apples in them. Although my go to apple is fuji - they never let me down and stay crisp tender even through baking.

Faith said...

That is one beautiful cake! Looks very moist and full of flavor, and I really love the texture from the granola. This would be a lovely addition to Thanksgiving dessert!

teresa said...

mmm, i luuurve apple cake! this looks great!

Shannon said...

That looks delicious!!! I would loveeee it :-)

Velva said...

Apples are perfect this time of year! Your apple granola cake would be perfect for Thanksgiving. Awesome!

Jodie said...

Erica you read my mind. I have been looking for an apple cake recipe. :) I making this for sure this weekend. I know it will be delish. Keep the fantastic recipes coming.

Lindsay @ The Lean Green Bean said...

this looks SO good! I have some apples that are almost past their prime.....PERFECT!

Simply Life said...

oh I could eat way too much of that! YUM!

Julie said...

yayyyy i'm SO glad it worked out!!! it looks delicious and ultra crispy. but i mean you are the nola queen so i wouldn't expect anything less ;)

i'm in charge of dessert and a side dish too! i'm thinking something with brussel sprouts for the side dish and dessert hmmm cookies are requested but this might be an addition!

hope you have a great night girl!

BroccoliHut said...

Yum! This would make the perfect Thanksgiving morning breakfast treat!

erica said...

Wow this cake looks out of this world. I finally made homemade granola for the first time. So I am definitely going to have to give this a try. I am thinking this would be great to bring to my friends for her Thanksgiving party.

xo

Pound said...

as always, yum! what side dish are you making? i saw a recipe today for orange green beans that looked interesting!

Averie @ Averie Cooks said...

this looks spectacular! anything with apples + granola...plus a cake...well, nice goin' girl! :)

Stephanie @cookinfanatic said...

You are such a talented baker girl! This cake looks great :D Hope you are having a fabulous week!

Liz said...

That cake looks fab! I am thinking about making a bread pudding for my husband's family. I love pumpkin pie, but I don't think they are big on it.

I teach Zumba. Just got started with it this summer but LOVE it!

Liz