Friday, October 3, 2008

Caramel Apple Not on a Stick Cake

caramel apple cake served

When my dad lived in Arizona, he use to make an oven-baked applesauce which he said was so healthy. His claim use to make us laugh because the first bite would reveal that butter was the main ingredient. It was really good. Each morsel would practically melt in your mouth: the perfect caramel apple puree.

Caramel apples in pan

The distance of the ocean separating my father and I make it difficult to pop by his house for this wonderful dish, so the other day I decided to play around with the concept. What started as an online recipe for caramel baked apples ended up into what I like to call: Caramel Apple Not on a Stick Cake. Truth be told, this is a not a "healthy" cake, no matter what my papa says.

caramel apple not on a stick cake

Caramel Apple Not on a Stick Cake (serves 8)
This cake is gluten free but, as always, you can play around with flours if you are not concerned about your wheat or gluten intake. Just omit the xantham gum and use 3/4 cups of all purpose flour instead of the GF flour and proceed as per the recipe below.

Green apples

1 lb of apples (pippin or other cooking apple)
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup lowfat milk

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons canola oil
1/3 cup sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1/4 cup egg whites
1 teaspoon GF hazelnut or vanilla extract
3/4 cup GF all purpose flour mix (such as Bob's Red Mill GF all purpose mix)
1/4 cup almond meal
1 teaspoon xantham gum
1 teaspoon baking powder

Pre-oil a round baking dish.
Peel and core apples. If they're small, slice them in half. If larger cut thick slices slices instead. Cover the bottom of the dish with apple slices.

In a pot, over medium heat, heat the cornstarch and brown sugar. Then add the butter, while mixing constantly, followed by the milk and cream. Continue heating and mixing until mixture thickens into a caramel sauce. Pour evenly over apple-slices. set aside while you make batter.

Preheat oven to 350F.

In a mixer, combine butter, oil and sugar. Cream together for 2 minutes. While mixer is on, add eggs, one at a time. Then follow by adding the egg whites and hazelnut extract.
Combine the flour, almond meal, salt, xantham gum and finally the baking powder in a bowl. Incorporate the flour mixture in 3 increments into the butter-egg mixture. Pour over the caramel apple slices. Bake for 45 minutes or until nice and golden. Let cool. Run a knife along the edges and invert onto a plate. This cake is best serves the same day.

caramel apple cake slice

Artsy-Foodie's Tip:

When slicing this cake, use a very sharp knife. If you don't, the knife will push the slices into the batter and destroy the shape of your cake.





Fruit desserts are the best. Here are a few more delicious recipes for you to enjoy:
Blueberry Plum Clafoutis
Oat Fig Bars

28 comments:

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

I'll pay big $$$ for you to bake me that cake!! :0)

RecipeGirl said...

Fattening or not, I'd eat it. Looks delish :)

maybelle's mom said...

It looks wonderful.

Susan @ SGCC said...

This looks amazing! Caramel and apples are a match made in heaven!

Dewi said...

Combination of caramel and apple are always good. Yours look very delicious. Have you made Tarte Tatin (http://elrasbaking.blogspot.com/2008/01/tart-tatin.html) before. If you like both combination, I think you'll like Tarte Tatin. I made this tarte all the time and I don't even need a recipe anymore. I must try your dad's cake for a change!

Usha said...

Apples and caramel together..love it..looks wonderful :)

Patricia Scarpin said...

Alexa, I absolutely love baking with apples. This is a magnificent cake!

And your dad sounds like a fun person.

rachel said...

I'm melting! Oh my goodness, Alexa, you really will be my undoing.

Chief Cook & Bottle Washer said...

OH WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!That is one great looking cake and I just happen to have of bowl of apple waiting to be made into it.

Anne Stesney said...

I'll fly to wherever you are as long as there's that cake at the other end.

Beautiful pictures lately, Alexa!

PS: Sorry I haven't gotten around to the blogger thing. I will, promise!

Leonor de Sousa Bastos said...

This cake looks so delicious!! There's nothing like our chilhood's flavours...
Kisses

Jeanine - The Baking Beauties said...

This cake looks delicious! Love the caramel on the apples...mmm...

Mary Ann said...

This cake looks better than a caramel apple to me for sure. Perfect adaptation of a childhood memory.

test it comm said...

That caramel apple cake looks so good!

Alexa said...

Veggiegirl,
Really??? :-)

Recipegirl,
I felt that way about your brownies...

Maybelle's mom,
Thanks.

Stickygooey,
You are so right, here are two flavors that were meant to be together.

Elra,
I have made tarte tatin and I love it. I have to say that yours looks amazing!

Usha,
Thanks Usha! I am glad you liked it.

Patricia,
There are so many ways to enjoy them. I really love them in desserts. My dad takes his cooking very seriously now but when I was a kid he cooked once a year and always the same meal.

Rachel,
In a good way, right?

Chief Cook,
Great! I hope you enjoy this recipe. :-)

Anne,
If you traveled here, I'd cook you a full meal--not just the cake. (lol) No worries about the blogger thing. I completely understand and I don't care about those things. :-)

Leonor,
My childhood perfumes my life and sometimes it comes out in my recipes. I always enjoy your comments!

Jeanine,
Thank you. I am glad you liked the post.

Mary Ann,
:-)

bee said...

these look like they are very good for your soul!!! the second pic says it all.

Ashley said...

Looks so Ooey, gooey and Delicious! What a great concept!

Mike of Mike's Table said...

That looks spectacular! lol about the healthy applesauce thing. I don't think I'd care how many sticks of butter were in it--it looks REALLY good. Very nice!

CECIL said...

First, I love the title of this cake!! :) Second, I could lie and say I'll try this recipe, but really..I don't know if I have the patience to make such a beautiful neat cake! So, I guess I will just stare at the photos!

Jacqueline Meldrum said...

That cake looks almost too good to be true! I love it :)

Deeba PAB said...

Perfect pairing Alexa...caramel & apple. Far out girl & too yummy for words. Loved the tale about Papa too!

Anonymous said...

Your dad's a good man Alexa, love the butter embrace. This really looks wonderful and I love your tips at the bottom.

--Marc

Ingrid_3Bs said...

Oh, yes, I'm loving that shot of the apples in the pan with all that caramel goodness poured over the top! Looking at that I don't think anyone can resist, healthy or not!
~ingrid

Anonymous said...

Wow. I love the idea of this cake! Thanks for the recipe and tips. I'll let you know if I give it a try.

Shelly,
Nibbles of Tidbits

Dee said...

Wow, that's a bit of heaven on a plate.

Mansi said...

I baked an Apple bread today, and this one looks like another one to try soon!

Sarena Shasteen - The Non-Dairy Queen said...

I have to say that I am completely inspired by your site! My grandmother has been diagnosed with celiac and I am extremely lactose intolerant, so I know what is like to learn how to cook/bake all over again. I have shared your site with my grandmother and when I see her in a couple of weeks...I plan to bake some of your recipes with her! Thank you for sharing!

Alexa said...

Sarena,

Thank you for your nice comment. I hope your grandmother finds my blog helpful. Enjoy baking/cooking with her when you visit!

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