Thursday, November 3, 2011

Let the Fall Baking Begin!

APPLE SPICE CAKE 
 from "Taste of Home's Complete guide to Baking"


I'm not going to lie, I love that Fall is here and Summer is over.  Although I love Summer, I kind of put my baking on hold then because honestly, who wants to turn on their oven when its 90 degrees outside.  Now that the leaves are changing colors and it's beautiful outside, it's the perfect excuse to bake (and eat) as many apple and pumpkin desserts as possible.  


Make this Apple Spice Cake and I promise you will not be disappointed.  

Cake Ingredients
 2 2/3 cups all purpose flour
1 2/3 cups sugar
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups chopped and peeled baking apples
3/4 cup chopped walnuts


1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.  In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, oil and vanilla.  Add dry ingredients and mix well.  Fold in apples and walnuts (batter will be thick).

2. Spread batter into two greased 9 in round baking pans.  Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes.  Let cakes cool completely on wire rack before frosting.


Frosting Ingredients
5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup milk
1 cup butter, softened
2 cups confectioners' sugar 
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 to 1 1/4 cups chopped walnuts

Warning:  I have made this frosting a few different times.  Sometimes it turns out delicious, other times it's a complete failure.  This time was a failure so I had to alter the recipe so the frosting wouldn't ruin the cake.      

1. Combine flour and milk in a saucepan until smooth. 
2.  Bring mixture to a boil; cook and stir for 1 minute.  Set aside, uncovered at room temperature for 20 minutes.  
3. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter, confectioners' sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy.  Add salt and cooked flour mixture and beat until smooth.  
4. Frost between layers, over top and on the sides of the cake.  
5. Carefully press the walnuts around the sides.  


Eat up and enjoy on a nice Fall day....soon Winter will be here!