SOCIAL MEDIA

16 February 2009

Legacy Apple Cake with Brown Sugar Frosting


For dessert we had Legacy Apple Cake with Brown Sugar Frosting. The cake was wonderful and moist. This frosting is SWEET! I double the recipe, but I think I would have been happy with a lighter "glaze" rather than a frosting. Have a big glass of milk ready!


Legacy Apple Cake
2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour (traditional or white whole wheat), plus more for the pan
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice, or 2 teaspoons apple pie spice
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup boiled cider or apple juice concentrate (I just used juice)
4 apples, peeled, seeded, and chopped
1 cup walnuts, chopped (optional)

1. Set oven at 325 degrees. Grease and flour 2 9 inch rounds. Line with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice or apple pie spice; set aside.

3. Using an electric mixer in a large mixing bowl, cream the butter with the brown and granulated sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, stopping between each addition to scrape the sides and bottom of the mixing bowl. Beat in vanilla and apple juice.
4. With the mixer set on low speed, beat in the flour mixture until evenly moistened. With a rubber spatula, fold in the apples and walnuts.
5. Spread the batter in the prepared pan. Transfer to the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes or until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean.
6. Remove the cake from the oven and set on a wire rack to cool completely.
FROSTING
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons milk
1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. In a small pan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in brown sugar and salt. Cook, stirring, until the sugar melts. Add the milk, bring to a boil, and pour into a mixing bowl. Cool for 10 minutes.
2. Stir in confectioners' sugar and vanilla. Beat well; if the mixture seems too thin, add more confectioners' sugar. Use the frosting while it is still warm.
Adapted from ``King Arthur Flour Whole GrainBaking"