Apple Recipes

We have an abundance of apples at our house right now. Besides making applesauce, here's what I've been doing with them, (sorry, no pics!).

Apple Pie
For the crust:
1 c. flour
1/2 t. salt
1/3 c. shortening
1/2 t. vinegar
1 egg yolk
3 Tbsp. milk

Combine flour and salt. Cut in shortening until the mixture looks like tiny crumbs. Add vinegar, egg yolk, and milk. I mix this whole thing together with a fork. (secret: I've never owned a pastry blender! Not for not wanting one though.) Form into a ball and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 30 min before rolling out. Meanwhile make the filling.

For the filling:
4 c. apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced
1 c. sugar
3 Tbsp. flour
1/4 t. cinnamon
1/8 t. nutmeg
1/8 t. salt

Combine sugar, flour and spices. Add apples and stir well. Pour into prepared crust.

For the topping:
1 c. flour
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. butter, softened

Combine flour and sugar. Cut in butter. Crumble over pie. Bake the pie at 375 for 1 hour. Cover with foil to prevent over-browning if needed. Note: If you're not lucky enough to have your own apple tree, my favorite apples to buy for this pie are Jonagolds.

Apple Cake
From the Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook
2/3 c. flour
1/2 c. whole wheat flour
1 t. baking soda
1 t. cinnamon
1/4 t. salt

Lightly coat a 9-inch round baking pan with cooking spray. Set aside. Mix together above ingredients and set aside.

1 1/2 c. finely chopped, peeled apples
1 egg
3/4 c. sugar
1/4 c. applesauce

Combine apples and egg. Stir in sugar and applesauce. Add dry ingredients from above and mix well. Pour into prepared pan and add the following topping.

1 Tbsp. flour
1 Tbsp. whole wheat flour
1/4 c. brown sugar
1/2 t. cinnamon
1 Tbsp. butter, softened

Combine flour(s) sugar and cinnamon. Cut in butter and crumble over cake. Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes. Cool 10 minutes before serving. This is soooo yummy for breakfast!

Chocolate Chip Cake with Chocolate Glaze

This baby has become a recent obsession of mine. Seriously, I've made it three times in the last month. It's super yum, looks fancy, and is really easy to make. This recipe comes from the Pillsbury Complete Book of Baking. Without any further ado, here it is! Enjoy!
Cake:
1/2 c. butter, softened
1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, softened
1 c. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
2 c. all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 c. milk
1 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 12 cup Bundt pan. In a large bowl, beat butter, cream cheese, and sugar until light and fluffy. Add vanilla; add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine dry ingredients and add to cream cheese mixture; mix well. Stir in milk and chocolate chips. Mixture will be very thick. Spread in greased pan.

Bake for 30-40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool upright in pan 15 minutes; invert onto serving plate, drizzle glaze over cooled cake.

Glaze:
2 c. powdered sugar
2 Tbsp. butter, melted
1 tsp. vanilla
3-4 Tbsp. milk
2 oz. unsweetened chocolate, melted


Combine all ingredients, adding enough milk to reach desired consistency. Whipping this also makes an excellent frosting!