Monday, October 15, 2012

Black Walnut Apple Cake

BLACK WALNUT APPLE CAKE

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
2 cups finely chopped apples (peeled)
3 slightly beaten eggs
3/4 cup chopped black walnuts, preferably toasted
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup cooking oil
Apple Glaze (see below)
Brandied Apple Cream Cheese Frosting (see below)

1. Grease and lightly flour two 9-inch round baking pans; set aside (note: grease well and lightly flour - important)

2. In a large bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, baking powder, soda, salt, and spices. Stir in chopped apples, eggs, walnuts, buttermilk, and oil. Spread batter into prepared pans.

3. Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 35 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted near centers comes out clean. Cool cakes in pans on wire racks for 15 minutes. Remove from pans; cool completely on wire racks.

4. Place a cake layer on a serving platter. Make Apple glaze and spoon it HOT over top of layer. Let stand about 20 minutes or until set.

5. Meanwhile, prepare Frosting. Spread about 3/4 cup of the frosting over glazed cake layer. Top with the remaining cake layer. Frost cake top and side with frosting. Cover and store any remaining cake in the refrigerator. (We like it best the following day cold and set). Makes 16 servings.

Apple Glaze: In a small saucepan, stir together 2 TBSP white sugar, 2 TBSP brown sugar, 2 TBSP butter, 1 TBSP buttermilk, and 1 tsp light corn syrup. Bring to boil; reduce heat. Cook and stir constantly for 2 to 3 minutes or until reduced to 1/4 cup. Remove from heat. Stir in 1 tablespoon apple brandy, apple juice, or apple cider (we use cider) and pour immediately onto cooled cake layers.

Brandied Cream Cheese Frosting: In a large bowl, beat one 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened; 1/2 cup butter, softened; and 1 tablespoon apple brandy, apple juice, or apple cider with an electric mixer on medium to high speed until light and fluffy. Gradually add 2 cups sifted powdered sugar, beating well. Gradually beat in an additional 2 to 2-1/2 cups sifted powdered sugar to make a frosting of spreading consistency.

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Quotes

“The most remarkable thing about my mother is that for 30 years she served the family nothing but leftovers. The original meal has never been found.”
-Calvin Trillin

Recipe: A series of step-by-step instructions for preparing ingredients you forgot to buy, in utensils you don't own, to make a dish the dog wouldn't eat.
~Author Unknown

As for butter versus margarine, I trust cows more than chemists. ~Joan Gussow