Fresh Apple Cake

Two days ago, I received an unexpected, but very welcome gift;  A GIANT paper sack COMPLETELY FULL of freshly picked apples.  Last night, still unsure of what to do with all of them, I decided to head out onto the world wide web and see what I could find.  Since it was almost 9 o'clock PM when I started this project there were main two criteria during my search:
1) Must use a LOT of apples
2) Must use only ingredients I have in the pantry (since I did not feel like running to the market)

I stumbled upon Southern Living magazine's list of 101 Crisp and Juicy Apple Recipes. I settled on their recipe for: Fresh Apple Cake.  
SL Fresh Apple Cake with Brown Butter Frosting and Pecans

It had great reviews and looked amazing... my apologies for the lack of photos during the process, but it was late, I was tired, and let's face it-- just plain lazy...  BUT let me just tell you... it turned out delicious and I felt I really needed to share it!!!!  I followed the recipe as written with only a few minor changes.
But first, one quick side-note-- *the texture while mixing the cake really made me feel like I had done something wrong.  The recipe states it should be like cookie dough, and it really is.  You begin to wonder HOW in the World it will every turn into a "cake"-- but, rest assured, it will.*  

MODIFICATIONS:
  1. Did not use Granny Smith apples, rather whatever was in my "gift bag"... and used only about 2 pounds of peeled, cored and thinly sliced apples instead of 2 1/2 lbs, due to size of baking dish.
  2. After reading reviews, used only 1 1/2 cups sugar instead of 2 cups.
  3. I also halved the frosting recipe, which I still had plenty to work with!
Speaking of frosting, they give you THREE different choices of frosting: Browned-Butter, Dark Chocolate or Cream Cheese frosting!!!  Can you say AWESOME!!  I decided to try the Browned-Butter variety and was not disappointed.  Truthfully though, I almost preferred the delicious cake without frosting where I could enjoy it to the full extent of its apple-deliciousness...  I will DEFINITELY be making this again!

RECIPE LINK: APPLE CAKE
RECIPE LINK: B-B Frosting

Labels: , , , , ,