First let's talk about apples. I strongly urge you to use organic apples in the recipe or in anything where you will be eating the skin of the apple. My choice in this recipe was a local Paula Red apple. We visited several orchards and I picked up three varieties. They were the Paula Red, Chestnut Crab and Sweet Sixteen.
This first photo shows the gorgeous Paula Red apples.
These are the cute little Chestnut Crab apples. They are about the size of a golf ball. They look pretty in my Mom's Fire King Jadeite mixing bowl.
All together now....
from bottom left.... Chestnut Crab, Sweet Sixteen and Paula Red apples.
Apple Cookie Cake
Base Ingredients:
1/3 cup butter
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar
2 tablespoons chopped crystallized ginger
Filling Ingredients:
2/3 cup sugar (or a bit less if your apples are quite sweet)
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
2 tablespoons firmly packed brown sugar
2 medium red skin apples -- (2 cups) unpeeled, chopped
(I used Paula Red Organic Apples)
Directions:
Heat oven to 350°F. Melt butter in 2-quart saucepan over medium-low heat. Continue cooking, stirring constantly and watching closely, until butter just starts to turn golden (3 to 5 minutes). Immediately remove from heat. Add 1 cup flour, 1/3 cup sugar and crystallized ginger; mix well. This mixture will be dry and crumbly. Press into bottom of ungreased 8-inch square baking pan.
Combine 2/3 cup sugar, 1/4 cup flour, baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, ground ginger and 1/4 teaspoon salt in large bowl. Stir in eggs until smooth. Stir in apples; pour over crust. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons brown sugar evenly over filling.
Bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean and top is golden brown. Cool at least 30 minutes before cutting.
Adapted from: Land O Lakes
Craving to know more about apples? Click here for varieties and uses.
Before being eaten... crunchy cookie crust, caramel
apple filling and whipped cream on top!
After.... yum.... My hubbies second piece;
the empty plate next to his favorite coffee mug.
Next week .... more photos from the Autumn Market and a story about a Wee Old Woman! No, NOT me!! Hope you are all having a great weekend! ~~Diane~~