Spice Cake
October 23, 2016
Thunderstruck:
[thuhn-der-struhk]
adjective
1. overcome with consternation; confounded; astounded.
2. Archaic. struck by a thunderbolt.
-----
Today ended up being unexpectly productive. With the sun shining I decided it was time to at least start with getting the garden cut down and the planters put away.
Being me, once I started, there was no end in sight and now the yard is completely winter ready. Luckily though, Gord decided he was bored enough to help and we ended up getting through a lot of work.
A sappling was relocated, the outside of the house was painted (partially, we were offered some free paint so we did what we could), and the leaves were raked.
Not bad, considering all I wanted to do was get the indoor planters cleaned and brought in. Good thing I did my baking yesterday!
And here's the recipe for those interested:
Ingredients:
Cake
- 2 and 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons of baking powder
- 1 teaspoon of baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon of ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon of ground nutmeg (I don't like nutmeg so I omitted this)
- 1/2 teaspoon of ground cloves
- 1 cup of canola or vegetable oil
- 1 and 3/4 cup of packed dark brown sugar
- optional: 1 Tablespoon of molasses
- 1 cup of unsweetened applesauce
- 4 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup of grated apple
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 ounces of cream cheese
- 1/2 cup of unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 3 cups of confectioners' sugar, plus an extra 1/4 cup if needed
- 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon of salt
Directions:
01. Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and grease a 9x13 inch pan.
02. Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and other spices together in a large bowl. Set aside.
03. Whisk the oil, brown sugar, molasses if using, applesauce, eggs, and vanilla extract together in a medium bowl.
04. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and whisk until combined.
05. Fold in the grated apple until combined.
06. Spread batter into the prepared pan.
07. Bake for 45-50 minutes. Baking times vary, so keep an eye on yours. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. (If you find the top of the cake is browning too quickly in the oven, loosely cover it with aluminum foil.)
08. Remove the cake from the oven and set on a wire rack. Allow to cool completely.
09. Make the frosting: In a large bowl using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle or whisk attachment, beat the cream cheese and butter together on high speed until smooth and creamy.
10. Add 3 confectioners' sugar, vanilla, and salt. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds, then switch to high speed and beat for 2 minutes.
11. If you want the frosting a little thicker, add the extra 1/4 cup of confectioners sugar.
12. Spread the frosting on the cooled cake.
13. Refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving. This helps sets the frosting and makes cutting easier.
14. Cover leftover cake tightly and store in the refrigerator for 5 days.
Enjoy! Hope everyone has had a good day.
Click "L" for a larger view.
Spice Cake
October 23, 2016
Thunderstruck:
[thuhn-der-struhk]
adjective
1. overcome with consternation; confounded; astounded.
2. Archaic. struck by a thunderbolt.
-----
Today ended up being unexpectly productive. With the sun shining I decided it was time to at least start with getting the garden cut down and the planters put away.
Being me, once I started, there was no end in sight and now the yard is completely winter ready. Luckily though, Gord decided he was bored enough to help and we ended up getting through a lot of work.
A sappling was relocated, the outside of the house was painted (partially, we were offered some free paint so we did what we could), and the leaves were raked.
Not bad, considering all I wanted to do was get the indoor planters cleaned and brought in. Good thing I did my baking yesterday!
And here's the recipe for those interested:
Ingredients:
Cake
- 2 and 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons of baking powder
- 1 teaspoon of baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon of ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon of ground nutmeg (I don't like nutmeg so I omitted this)
- 1/2 teaspoon of ground cloves
- 1 cup of canola or vegetable oil
- 1 and 3/4 cup of packed dark brown sugar
- optional: 1 Tablespoon of molasses
- 1 cup of unsweetened applesauce
- 4 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup of grated apple
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 ounces of cream cheese
- 1/2 cup of unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 3 cups of confectioners' sugar, plus an extra 1/4 cup if needed
- 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon of salt
Directions:
01. Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and grease a 9x13 inch pan.
02. Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and other spices together in a large bowl. Set aside.
03. Whisk the oil, brown sugar, molasses if using, applesauce, eggs, and vanilla extract together in a medium bowl.
04. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and whisk until combined.
05. Fold in the grated apple until combined.
06. Spread batter into the prepared pan.
07. Bake for 45-50 minutes. Baking times vary, so keep an eye on yours. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. (If you find the top of the cake is browning too quickly in the oven, loosely cover it with aluminum foil.)
08. Remove the cake from the oven and set on a wire rack. Allow to cool completely.
09. Make the frosting: In a large bowl using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle or whisk attachment, beat the cream cheese and butter together on high speed until smooth and creamy.
10. Add 3 confectioners' sugar, vanilla, and salt. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds, then switch to high speed and beat for 2 minutes.
11. If you want the frosting a little thicker, add the extra 1/4 cup of confectioners sugar.
12. Spread the frosting on the cooled cake.
13. Refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving. This helps sets the frosting and makes cutting easier.
14. Cover leftover cake tightly and store in the refrigerator for 5 days.
Enjoy! Hope everyone has had a good day.
Click "L" for a larger view.