apples

Bready or Not: Apples and Honey Cake

Posted by on Sep 4, 2024 in apples, Blog, Bready or Not, breakfast, cake | 0 comments

Yes, yet another delicious version of apple cake. This Apples and Honey Cake uses apple butter, giving it a darker, moister crumb and a deeper infusion of spices.

Bready or Not: Apples and Honey Cake

This is truly a wonderful breakfast cake or a portable snack cake to tote along to work on school. It’s not messy to eat, and it’s refreshing and filling.

Bready or Not: Apples and Honey Cake

Note that, because of the apple butter, the top is dark in color, so don’t use the coloration to judge doneness in the oven. Rely on the good old toothpick test in the middle.

Bready or Not: Apples and Honey Cake

Bready or Not: Apples and Honey Cake

This variation of apple cake is doubly infused with apples and spice, as it includes apple butter, chopped apples, and extra spice. It’s fantastic for breakfast, snack, or dessert, and pieces freeze beautifully. Modified from Star-Tribune September 17, 2023.
Course: Breakfast, Snack
Keyword: apple, cake
Servings: 9 pieces
Author: Beth Cato

Equipment

  • 9×9 pan
  • nonstick spray

Ingredients

  • 2 medium baking apples such as Honeycrisp or Cortland
  • 1 cup olive oil
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 3/4 cup apple butter
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs room temperature
  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Instructions

  • Preheat oven at 350 degrees. Line a 9-inch square pan with foil and apply nonstick spray or butter.
  • Peel and dice up the apples. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, sugar, apple butter, honey, vanilla, and eggs, creating a smooth mixture. Stir in the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, baking soda, and baking powder. Scrape the bottom of the bowl to make sure everything is combined. Fold in the apples.
  • Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, until a toothpick plunged into the middle comes out clean. Let cool completely, chilling in fridge to speed the process if desired, then use the foil to lift the cake onto a cutting board for easier slicing.
  • Store in a sealed container at room temperature or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Pieces can also be individually wrapped and frozen for weeks.

OM NOM NOM!

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    Bready or Not Original: Apple Custard Cake

    Posted by on Jul 31, 2024 in apples, Blog, Bready or Not, breakfast, cake | Comments Off on Bready or Not Original: Apple Custard Cake

    This newest entry in my series of apple cakes is on the fancier side. This Apple Custard Cake is light, airy, and loaded with fruit. It truly does have a gourmet vibe.

    Apple Custard Cake

    While it’s not difficult to make, it is tedious to construct. This is a recipe that dirties a lot of dishes. Bowl after bowl after bowl. That said, the result truly is something special.

    Apple Custard Cake

    If you’re going to go through a lot of fuss, it should be worthwhile, right?

    Apple Custard Cake

    Bready or Not Original: Apple Custard Cake

    This is a fancier apple cake that is light and divine, the apple pieces suspended in airy, moist crumb. Be warned, this recipe dirties a lot of dishes, but the result is both gorgeous and delicious.
    Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
    Keyword: apple, cake, springform pan
    Author: Beth Cato

    Equipment

    • 9-inch springform pan
    • parchment paper
    • uneven spatula

    Ingredients

    • 4 medium baking apples such as Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, and Cortland
    • 1/2 cup golden raisins
    • 1 medium lemon zested and juiced
    • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
    • 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
    • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour plus 2 Tablespoons
    • 1 Tablespoon baking powder
    • 3/4 teaspoon salt
    • 3 large eggs divided
    • 2/3 cup white sugar
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
    • 1 cup milk or half & half
    • 1 cup canola oil
    • 1/3 cup white sugar for topping

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut a piece of parchment paper to fit the disc of the springform pan. Use nonstick spray on pan. Add the cut parchment paper. Spray again over the paper, making sure to cover the sides of the ring.
    • Thinly slice the apples. Place them with the raisins in a big bowl. Measure out 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to place in bowl; use any remaining juice for something outside of the recipe. Add all of the zest, the cinnamon, and nutmeg, and stir to coat the fruit. Set aside for a while; there are a lot of other bowls to dirty.
    • In a separate bowl, stir together the whole wheat pastry flour, 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour, the baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
    • In another mixing bowl, beat together 2 of the eggs with the 2/3 cup sugar, until they are thickened and pale. Add the vanilla. Measure out the milk and oil. Take turns adding the milk and oil to the egg mixture alternatively with the dry ingredients.
    • In a small bowl, beat the remaining egg. Add 1 cup of the batter along with the remaining 2 tablespoons flour. Mix until just combined. Set aside to use for the topping.
    • Fold the apple bowl contents into the main batter and mix until everything is coated. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan. Use an uneven spatula to spread the reserved batter over the top. Sprinkle the remaining 1/3 cup white sugar over the top of the cake.
    • Place the cake on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake until the top is golden brown, about 1 hour. The edges should be pulling away from the sides. Transfer to a wire rack to cool for about 30 minutes. Run a knife around the sides of the inner ring. Pop the release to open the pan and lift away the ring to allow it to cool more.
    • Cake can be kept wrapped at room temperature or in the fridge. Slices can also be individually wrapped and frozen for weeks.

    OM NOM NOM!

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      Bready or Not: Dutch Apple Loaf Cake

      Posted by on Jul 3, 2024 in apples, Blog, Bready or Not, breakfast, cake | Comments Off on Bready or Not: Dutch Apple Loaf Cake

      Need a smaller portion apple cake? Use your loaf pan! This Dutch Apple Loaf Cake has a crumble topping that is a bit messy, sure, but it’s also delicious.

      Bready or Not: Dutch Apple Loaf Cake

      I used three small apples in this cake, which came to about 2 cups diced up. That would probably equal two mediums or one really huge apple. You have more wiggle room in this recipe’s fruit content than you would in, say, an apple pie where the volume is more obvious.

      Bready or Not: Dutch Apple Loaf Cake

      This is an especially nice recipe to cut into slices and freeze for later. They thaw fast, too, making them great to pack for the road to enjoy on a trip or for a snack or lunch–though remember, they might be a little crumbly, so maybe eat where the birds can enjoy those crumbs.

      Bready or Not: Dutch Apple Loaf Cake

      Bready or Not: Dutch Apple Loaf Cake

      This loaf cake is a lovely smaller portion cake that is perfect for a breakfast, brunch, or to freeze in slices to eat later.
      Course: Breakfast, Snack
      Cuisine: American
      Keyword: apple, walnuts
      Author: Beth Cato

      Equipment

      • 9×5 loaf pan
      • parchment paper
      • nonstick spray

      Ingredients

      Topping:

      • 1/4 cup white sugar
      • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
      • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
      • 1/4 cup unsalted butter cold, cut up

      Cake:

      • 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
      • 1 cup white sugar
      • 2 large eggs room temperature
      • 1/4 cup buttermilk or soured milk (see note)
      • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
      • 2 cups all-purpose flour
      • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
      • 1/2 teaspoon salt
      • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
      • 2 cups apple pieces peeled and diced (about 3 small apples)
      • 1/2 cup walnuts chopped

      Instructions

      Mix topping

      • Combine sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Cut in the butter until the mixture becomes crumbly. Tuck into fridge while the loaf is made.

      Create loaf cake

      • Preheat oven at 350 degrees. Cut parchment paper to fit into loaf pan like a sling, the paper extending up both long sides. apply nonstick spray into middle.
      • In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time. Add the buttermilk and vanilla.
      • In a small bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet. Fold in the apple pieces and the walnuts. Pour batter into the pan and even out. Sprinkle topping mix to cover.
      • Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean. Cool for 20 minutes in pan before using the parchment to lift the cake onto a rack. Keep stored at room temperature, wrapped in plastic wrap or otherwise covered. Pieces can also be individually wrapped and frozen.

      OM NOM NOM!

        Notes

        To make soured milk as a buttermilk substitute, add 3 teaspoons of lemon juice or vinegar to a liquid 1/4 cup, then add milk to half & half to the 1/4 line. Let sit for about 10 minutes at room temperature. It should curdle. Use full amount in recipe.
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        Bready or Not: Cider Pound Cake

        Posted by on Jun 5, 2024 in apples, Blog, Bready or Not, breakfast, bundt, cake | Comments Off on Bready or Not: Cider Pound Cake

        This luscious Cider Pound Cake, made in a tube pan, is great by itself or eaten alongside fruit and/or ice cream.

        Bready or Not: Cider Pound Cake

        There are no apples in this cake. That means it’s fast and easy to make, too. No peeling, or dicing or grating. Instead, the recipe relies on sparkling apple cider for sweetness and gentle flavor.

        Bready or Not: Cider Pound Cake

        “Sparkling cider” means nonalcoholic. That doesn’t mean you should use any old apple juice, though. Apple cider has more flavor and heft (i.e. not so watery). I used a seasonal version from Aldi that is all Honeycrisp, but any basic sparkling cider will do!

        Bready or Not: Cider Pound Cake

        Modified from Centennial Kitchen Fall Baking Magazine 2021.

        Bready or Not: Cider Pound Cake

        This recipe includes no actual pieces of apple, instead getting sweetness and fresh flavor from sparkling (meaning nonalcoholic) apple cider. The outside of the cake will form a crunchy crust, while the inside is tender and moist. Modified from Centennial Kitchen Fall Baking Magazine 2021.
        Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
        Keyword: apple, bundt cake, cake, cider, tube
        Author: Beth Cato

        Equipment

        • large tube pan
        • nonstick spray

        Ingredients

        Cake

        • 2 cups unsalted butter (4 sticks) softened
        • 2 cups white sugar
        • 6 large eggs room temperature
        • 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
        • 1/4 teaspoon salt
        • 1/2 cup sparkling apple cider

        Glaze

        • 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
        • 1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract
        • 1 Tablespoon sparkling apple cider

        Instructions

        • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a tune pan with nonstick spray.
        • In a big bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until they are fluffy. Add the eggs in sequence, beating well after each addition.
        • In another bowl, stir together the flour and salt. Gradually add it to the large bowl along with the apple cider, going back and forth in increments. Scrape the bottom of the bowl to ensure everything is mixed. Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth out the top.
        • Bake for 1 hour and 5 minutes to 1 hour and 20 minutes, until a toothpick plunged into the center of the cake comes out clean. Cool in pan for 20 minutes, then invert onto a cooling rack to completely cool.
        • Once the cake is cool, in a small bowl, combine the three glaze ingredients to make a thick but moveable glaze. Dribble over cake so that it oozes over sides.
        • Let set at least 30 minutes before cutting. Store under a cake dome or cut into individual slices to encase in plastic wrap.

        OM NOM NOM!

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          Bready or Not Original: Apple Bundt Cake with Apple Cider Caramel Glaze

          Posted by on May 1, 2024 in apples, Blog, Bready or Not, bundt, cake | Comments Off on Bready or Not Original: Apple Bundt Cake with Apple Cider Caramel Glaze

          This Cider Bundt Cake is part of a series of apple cake experiments that will be on Bready or Not over the next while. They are all just a bit different.

          Bready or Not Original: Apple Bundt Cake with Apple Cider Caramel Glaze

          The thing that really sets this cake apart is the Apple Cider Caramel Glaze. Oh boy, this glaze. It’s truly thick, luscious caramel. The cake by itself is fairly standard–this glaze elevates it to star status.

          Bready or Not Original: Apple Bundt Cake with Apple Cider Caramel Glaze

          Even better, you’ll likely have some glaze leftover. Store it covered in the fridge and use it in the coming days. Warm up a portion to make it pliable, then use it for dipping apples or cookies, or to top ice cream… or just eat it straight or add even more to the cake slices. Just don’t you dare let it go to waste.

          Bready or Not Original: Apple Bundt Cake with Apple Cider Caramel Glaze

          Bready or Not Original: Apple Bundt Cake with Apple Cider Caramel Glaze

          This tender, apple-loaded cake is topped with an Apple Cider Caramel Glaze that will make everything better–this cake, your day, the whole dang planet. There will be a little bit of caramel leftover, too, perfect for dipping apple slices, cookies, or for topping ice cream.
          Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
          Author: Beth Cato

          Equipment

          • large bundt pan
          • nonstick spray with flour
          • cooling rack
          • medium saucepan

          Ingredients

          Cake

          • 3/4 cup unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks) softened
          • 1 cup white sugar
          • 1 cup brown sugar packed
          • 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
          • 3 large eggs room temperature
          • 3 cups all-purpose flour
          • 2 teaspoons baking powder
          • 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
          • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
          • 1/2 teaspoon salt
          • 1/2 teaspoon cardamom
          • 1/2 cup buttermilk or soured milk (see note)
          • 3 medium baking apples peeled and grated or finely diced

          Apple Cider Caramel Glaze

          • 1 cup nonalcoholic apple cider
          • 1 cup brown sugar packed
          • 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
          • 1/4 cup half & half

          Instructions

          • Preheat oven at 325 degrees. Apply nonstick spray with flour to a large bundt pan.
          • In a large bowl, beat together butter, both sugars, and vanilla extract, until fluffy. Scrape down bottom of bowl. Add eggs, beating well after each addition.
          • In another bowl, combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, and cardamom. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, pausing to add the buttermilk at several points. Scrape the bottom of the bowl, then fold in the apple pieces.
          • Scoop batter into the prepared pan. Even it out. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean, 50 to 60 minutes. Let cool in pan for 20 minutes, then invert onto a rack to completely cool before making the glaze.
          • In a medium saucepan, bring the cider to a low boil and keep it there for about 4 minutes, watching it closely to bring down heat if necessary to ensure it doesn’t boil over. Add the brown sugar, butter, and half & half, then bring to a boil for another 2 to 4 minutes, until it has thickened. Remove from heat to set and cool for about 15 to 20 minutes. While the caramel is still warm (if it’s not warm, heat it again gently to make it pliable), drizzle it over cake. (If you have any caramel leftover, let it cool and then refrigerate it for other delicious uses!)
          • Let cake set in fridge. Keep covered under a dome or individually slice and wrap for storage, keeping it in the fridge. It'll keep for at least 5 days.

          OM NOM NOM!

            Notes

            To make soured milk as a buttermilk subtitute, put about 3 teaspoons lemon juice or vinegar in a liquid measuring cap. Add milk or half & half to reach the 1/2 cup line. Let set at room temperature about 10 minutes; it should start to curdle. Use in recipe.
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            Bready or Not: Spiced Apple Scones

            Posted by on Apr 17, 2024 in apples, Blog, Bready or Not, breakfast, british | Comments Off on Bready or Not: Spiced Apple Scones

            These Spiced Apple Scones make for a delicious breakfast. They are great fresh, but they can also be frozen for a convenient meal on the go later in the week.

            Bready or Not: Spiced Apple Scones

            These are not super sweet. There is enough sugar inside to elevate them above what Americans regard as a biscuit; the glaze not only adds some sweetness, but a texture for contrast. If you want these plainer, just omit the glaze!

            Bready or Not: Spiced Apple Scones

            If you don’t have pie spice, just use cinnamon with perhaps a sprinkle of nutmeg.

            Bready or Not: Spiced Apple Scones

            Greatly modified from Bake from Scratch Magazine September/October 2023.

            Bready or Not: Spiced Apple Scones

            Brighten your morning with these delicious fruit-filled scones! Make a batch over the weekend, and freeze them to pull out throughout the week. Greatly modified from Bake from Scratch Magazine September/October 2023.
            Servings: 8 scones
            Author: Beth Cato

            Equipment

            • baking sheet with parchment or scone pan
            • knife or bench knife

            Ingredients

            Scones

            • 2 cups all-purpose flour plus more for surface
            • 1/4 cup white sugar
            • 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
            • 1 1/4 teaspoons pie spice
            • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
            • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
            • 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter cut into cubes and cold
            • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
            • 1 cup half & half or milk, plus more for tops if desired
            • 1 medium baking apple (about 120 grams) peeled and diced

            Glaze

            • 1 cup confectioners' sugar plus more if needed
            • sprinkle pie spice
            • 1 Tablespoon half & half plus more if needed
            • 1/2 teaspoon clear vanilla extract

            Instructions

            • Preheat oven at 375-degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or pull out a scone pan.
            • In a big bowl, stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, pie spice, salt, and baking soda. Cut in the butter, mashing it until it resembles coarse crumbs. Pour in the vanilla and half & half, stirring until just combined. Fold in the diced apple.
            • If using a baking sheet to bake, flour a work space. Flour hands and fold and pat the dough into a thick disc. Use a knife or bench knife to slice it into 8 wedges. Move wedges, spaced out, onto baking pan. Alternatively, press dough into scone pan to evenly fill each hole. Whichever method is used, chill scones for about 15 minutes.
            • If softer scones are desired, measure out a tablespoon of milk and brush that atop the scones. If crisper tops are wanted, leave the scones be.
            • Bake scones until tops are golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool for about 20 minutes.
            • Make the glaze. Whisk together confectioners’ sugar, a sprinkle of pie spice, half & half, and clear vanilla until they achieve a thick but oozy texture. Drizzle over scones.
            • Enjoy scones right away, or store at room temperature in a sealed container for up to 2 days. They can also be frozen and thawed for later enjoyment.

            OM NOM NOM!

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