Apple Cake

It is that time of the year when this mid-western city of U.S.A where I live, is covered in white on most of the days. The heavy, furry coats and the knee-high boots are in full use. And by this time I had already made my first snow doll right on my balcony last winter. But this year things are a bit different. Kansas City has still not seen a single day of snow yet. I would not believe it is end of December, had not the stores put up holiday decorations or every alley, house and courtyard was lit by Christmas lights. We human beings know who to blame, global warming it is, not us.

But it is December and time to be merry rather than sarcastic or cynical. And therefore, in the perfect spirit of carpe diem, I head on to kitchen to try my hands on baking a beautiful apple cake. Try to find a place for this cake on your holiday menu and I am sure you will love it as would others.

Apple Cake

INGREDIENTS:

Apples: 4 to 5 (Depending on the size) I used red delicious, you could use apples of your choice.

Lime/lemon juice: 2 tsp

Butter: 5 tbsp

Oil: 2 tbsp ( Any unflavoured oil like vegetable oil/ canola oil)

Sugar: 2 cups

Eggs: 4

All purpose flour: 1 1/2 cup

Baking powder: 1 tsp

Salt: 1/2 tsp

Vanilla essence/ extract: 1 tsp

Cinnamon powder: 1tsp

Powdered / confectioner's sugar for garnishing

PROCEDURE:

Pre-heat your oven at 350 F.

Peel off the apple skins. Cut three of them into crescent-shaped slices discarding the core and seeds.

Take the apple slices in a bowl and soak them in some water adding the lemon juice. Keep them soaked for 15 to 20 minutes.

Cut rest of the apples into small cubes and dust some all purpose flour on it and keep aside.

Heat a non stick pan and melt 2 tbsp of butter on it.

Add 1 cup of sugar to it and let it come to bubbling state. Now add the apple slices draining off the water.

Cook them till they are semi-soft and then let them cool.

Take 3 tbsp of butter and 2 tbsp of oil. Add 1 cup of sugar to it.

Mix it thoroughly till it get light and fluffy. Then add in the eggs one by one and keep mixing till everything is well blended.

Now sieve the all purpose flour, baking powder, cinnamon powder and salt into the mixture. Add the vanilla extract and mix well.

Finally, add the apple cubes into the batter and fold in gently.

Prepare your baking pan with oil/butter and flour. Now arrange the apple slices in it. Pour in the left over syrup on it if any.

Once done, pour the cake batter over it.

Let it bake in the oven at 350 F for 40 to 50 minutes or till a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. When baked, run a knife or spatula around the edges of the cake in your baking pan to loosen it. Now flip the cake upside down on to a dish. You will see the nice foral pattern on your cake make by the apple slices.

Finally, sprinkle powdered sugar on top of it.

Your delicious apple cake is ready to serve for Christmas.