Monday, November 11, 2013

All About Apples

Between trips to an apple farm and my daughter’s house, I’ve been well-supplied and haven’t had to spend a cent (for apples!) at the supermarket. Fresh picked apples—mmm! They’re the best.

My daughter and her family bought a house two years ago and started their country life with five HUGE apples trees—several different varieties that have not yet been identified but have distinct differences in taste, sweetness and tartness.

Lots of apples their first year but with the moving in and settling down, apple experimentation was not on the menu. Instead, the boys—my little grands—were paid 50-cents a bucket to pick up the many apples. Really, they had to be picked up; otherwise, a walk/run through the backyard and under the apple trees was more like roller skating, from apple to apple.

Last year, their second year of country life, not a single apple appeared!

And now it’s Year #3 and those trees have broken a record in apple production. They’ve also broken several branches due to the weight of the many, many apples.

Son-in-law built a wooden apple press. They’ve made cider. They’ve made and canned applesauce, apple pie filling and apple butter. They’ve given away apples. Still, I find myself “rolling” through the backyard when I visit and the dog is taking me for a walk.

Back to the apple farm: I brought home Honeycrisp that weighed almost a half pound each and were so-o sweet. I also picked MacIntosh, also sweet but with a bit of tartness. They worked well together.

I selected two recipes and loved both! So, here for your baking and eating pleasure are FRENCH APPLE CAKE and APPLE CREAM CHEESE COFFEE CAKE. (Click on the links to see the recipes and click on each photo to see an enlarged, detailed picture.)



FRENCH APPLE CAKE
from BigOven.com ~ cake crust, apple filling, custard filling, garnish





APPLE CREAM CHEESE COFFEE CAKE

from AllRecipes ~ baked in an angel food cake pan (10-inch tube pan).
Cream cheese and confectionery sugar mixture is spread on the bottom layer of batter and topped with another batter layer. A mixture of walnuts, sugar and cinnamon is sprinkled on top before baking.



For more apple recipes, visit these 2011 and 2012 posts on Step By Step In The Kitchen…

APPLE-RAISIN BARS WITH RED HOT CINNAMON CANDIES

FRESH APPLE YOGURT CAKE


APPLE ALMOND CAKE



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My other blog is CORNING NY STEP BY STEP -- a view of the city where I live.

CORNING NY STEP BY STEP is now on Facebook. LIKE it and you’ll see when I post a new entry to that blog, plus there will be extra photos of people, places and things of Corning that didn’t make it into the blog.

12 comments:

  1. French apple cake, almond apple cake. I can't decide please send over a big wedge of all my way. Hmm, I wonder if it travels well. Have a super week and take care, BAM

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    1. BAM, I'll pack them up for shipping if you can figure a way to send me a bite of everything you make! As an alternative, next time you're visiting in the US (or back to stay), come to NYS and we'll do some cooking together.

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    2. I would love to visit you! If I ever travel to NYC I will be certain to look you up. It really is a small world I say! Take care, BAM

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    3. Just remember, BAM, we're many miles west of NYC. Check a NYS map for the Corning-Elmira area.

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  2. How envious I am of your kids! That is just the lifestyle Tim and I want to live one day. I am sure it will happen, just have to learn to be content and thankful and in the meantime. That French Apple Cake looks awesome, thanks for the recipe.
    Cheers,
    Leah

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    Replies
    1. Leah, it will happen for you! My daughter and her family lived in a tiny apartment on a tiny lot for ten years, then when they went house hunting, they submitted offers on 3-4 houses and finally found one just 12 minutes outside of Corning at the perfect price, great neighbors, huge yard, horses in a field behind their backyard. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.

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  3. Five apple trees!!! I have one tree that produces in early summer, which is nice ... just wish I had some now. Your photos have given me the urge to bake ... just can't decide which one ;)

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    Replies
    1. Even though apples can be pricy certain times of year, I think we should take advantage of them all year long. I can't believe I didn't think to mix apples types until just a few years ago. What a difference it makes!

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  4. Mmm, I could do with some apples, this french apple cake sounds and looks so delectable :D

    Cheers
    CCU

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    Replies
    1. CCU, you're out and about. Exams are over and life is calmer, I hope. Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting.

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  5. Replies
    1. Thanks, Carine, and as always, thank you for reading and commenting.

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