Apple Walnut Cake sings fall with apple chunks, walnuts and spicy goodness. Add cream cheese icing and sing Happy Birthday. Which is what we did for Wheels birthday. It was so good I made another cake -- just because -- a week or so later! I tweaked the amounts of the sugars, reducing them considerably to lower the carb count. The cake is just right sweet -- enough to complement the cinnamon and nutmeg and not overpower them. I just googled "complement". It says "a thing that completes or brings to perfection". Just exactly the description I was looking for! Don't bother to peel the apples. I used my favorite Gala, cutting them into slices and then cutting across the slices to make half inch long chunks. Buy the less expensive walnut pieces for this and save yourself time and ... [Read More]
Cinnamon
Cinnamon Swirl Cream Cheese Mints
A new twist on a classic candy – Cinnamon Swirl Cream Cheese Mints. I like the surprise of the cinnamon flavoring since the classic version calls for mint flavoring of some type. I used gel food coloring for a more intense red, adding only a small bit at a time until I had a bright color. I used Wilton Candy Flavorings. Both are available in hobby stores and sometimes grocery stores in the cake decorating section. Or – during my tenure as a pharmacy tech I found out that many pharmacies order candy flavorings to sell over the counter at this time of year! Who knew! Candy flavor is more intense than the liquid flavorings so less is needed and that keeps the candy from being too moist. When you finish mixing the candy, it will likely seem a little sticky. Try to resist adding more ... [Read More]
Apple Dumplings with Cinnamon Sauce
Apple Dumplings are one of my very favorite desserts. Absolutely adore them!!! And who wouldn't? Great apple taste and texture wrapped in flaky crust and baked in a cinnamon butter sauce. Serve warm. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream to take the dessert to celestial levels. Let cool and serve with an extra spoonful of syrup from the pan for cinnamon zing. Refrigerate and have for breakfast. Except there won't be any left overnight unless you hide it in a Velveeta box -- cooled and wrapped well. :-) Not that I would ever use that trick. Apple dumplings are not a quick fix. But they are SO worth the bit of time and effort!!! Especially for a special treat for a holiday. Or a special someone. Or a family in need of a WOW! They are, however, straightforward and easy to ... [Read More]
Sugar and Spice Muffins – Best Breakfast Muffins Ever
French Breakfast Puffs, Sugar and Spice Muffins, Donut Muffins, Baked Sugar Donut, The. Best. Breakfast. Muffin. Ever! Many names, but only one description: “Oh wow – this is good!” This is truly a time honored favorite, no matter what name it has. Everyone love, love, loves this tender muffin with a crunchy spicy coating. Time honored because I first made it in college. I was a member of a women’s housing co-op where we shared the household duties in exchange for reduced housing costs. Work was set up on a two week rotating basis and included a stint as assistant cook and then chief cook. The chief cook planned the meals and could include anything she wanted as long as it was within the budget and reasonably nutritious. Except! French Breakfast Puffs. It was house ... [Read More]
Apple Pie Rustica
Tart - galette – one crust pie - folded pie. This dish has an identity crisis. Tart is an English term for pastry with fruit, often one serving size, while galette is a French crusty cake with sweet or savory topping. So what to call this delectable dish? Besides a superb ending for a meal? How about Apple Pie Rustica? Rustica as in Italian for simple, without unnecessary embellishment. Not that I know anything about the Italian language! But rustic apple pie sounds like it would have paint flaking off, while " rustica" sounds solid and to the point! Apples sweetened slightly with a touch of lemon to enhance flavor. Flaky pie crust providing both counterpoint and unifier from the most basic of ingredients. A dish beautiful on its own merits, honest and ... [Read More]
