Tuesday, August 16, 2011

The Apple Lady’s Apple Cake



I will admit: I have no idea who Patricia Wells is and I have never before heard of “The Paris Cookbook.” (is that bad?) I will also say that this recipe (from the same cookbook, by the same author) has totally enchanted me. I have made it three times in the past few weeks – and it’s not even apple season here. In fact, the apples are really, really crummy right now.  (Next time I make it I will use peaches.)

My mom made this for me when I was recently visiting her and I had to copy down the recipe. (She has the greatest stash of tried and true recipes.) I proceeded to make this cake (more like a pancake or crepe because of the eggs) a number of times for my family.  

Before sitting down here today to blog about it, I did a quick search on the internet…. Lo and behold… It’s a well- known recipe, well-documented on every recipe site, well-received my all who have made it.

It’s probably already in your stack of recipes…….. Shows what I know…… anyway, it’s my new favorite thing to eat.



Here’s what you need:
½ C flour
1/3 C sugar
1 T baking powder
1/8 t salt
½ t vanilla
2 eggs, beaten
2 T vegetable oil
1/3 C whole milk
4 apples, cored, peeled, sliced thinly

Topping:
1/3 C sugar
1 egg, beaten
3 T melted butter



Mix flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Blend together the eggs, oil, milk and then add the wet ingredients to the dry. Add in the apple slices and mix well.

Spoon the apple mixture into a well-greased 8-inch springform pan. The original recipe calls for a 9-inch springform pan. I used a 9 inch tart pan with a removable bottom…. Whatever… just adjust the baking times accordingly. Be sure to place your pan on a baking sheet!

Bake for about 20 minutes in a 400 degree oven.



In the meantime: Mix the topping ingredients. Spoon the topping over the cake and bake for another 10 minutes. Be careful to watch the cake closely on this step. You don’t want to over brown the topping.

Cool. Remove rim. Serve for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, bed-time snack. Serve with whipped cream, ice cream, coffee, milk, or simply eat it with your fingers.


6 comments:

  1. Well this is new to me too, but it looks wonderful! Kind of like a cross between a pie and a cake. I printed off the recipe and will certainly be giving this a try when apples are in season here in Michigan (which will be here before you know it!)

    ReplyDelete
  2. That reminds me a bit of an apple dutch baby!! Looks delish...pinning since Michael LOVES apple desserts. BTW...I'm hosting a recipe contest on my blog with Cookwell & Company. The recipe must contain salsa, and the winner will get some great prizes. Details on my blog...hope you'll enter a recipe, Tracy!!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love a dutch baby! I think it will be perfect with peaches. I want to try that now.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hey, Cuz, you have to Google Patricia Wells! She was born in Milwaukee, Christine and I know her slightly, you would love her, and 3 of her 12 cookbooks have won the James Beard Award ("The Provence Cookbook", "Patricia Wells at Home in Provence", and "Simply French") and two others were nominated. Wow!

    We have ten recipes tabbed in our signed copy of "Simply French" (wonderful photographs, too), they are that good and that easy. I also really like her book "Trattoria" with delightful Italian recipes. All her recipes add instructive comments, history, tips and tricks, wine suggestions, etc., making them so much more than lists of ingredients and instructions. Hence, the awards, right?

    She lives in France, but visits Raleigh occasionally to see her sister, our good friend. Her 5 day cooking classes in Paris and at her home in Provence (very small classes, $5,000 or more, lodging and airfare not included!) are out of the question for most of us, but I recommend "Simply French" as a great introduction to Patty's style. Enjoy, as I do your blog!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hey there Steve! Thanks for the great info about Patricia Wells - I will definitely check out her cookbooks! Wouldn't you just love a 5 day cooking class in France? WOW! Hello to Christine :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hey Tracy! Yeah, a really good cooking class would be great, but I just don't know if I want to put up with the airline hassle to go to France, not that I could ever rationalize $5,000+ for the event. I admire your Tim for lots of things, one of which is enduring all the travel! Christine says Hello, too--she and Patty Wells' sister have been in a weekly quilting bee for nearly 20 years. It's amazing how connections happen, isn't it?

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by my Living Cookbook! I appreciate each and every comment!