Thursday, January 21, 2021

Apple Bundt Birthday Cake #BundtBakers #LitHappens

Tender yellow cake flavored with cinnamon, studded with fresh apples and drizzled with caramel sauce.  Perfect as dessert or for breakfast with a cup of coffee.

Apple Bundt Cake

Join me as I share two of my favorite groups in one post and celebrate a dear friends birthday as well........

Woman and Birthday Cake


I met my friend Michelle in Junior High when we were in the same Home Ec. class.  Yes, home ec used to be a thing.  We learned to cook, bake, sew and make a household budget.  She and her then boyfriend, now ex husband, introduced me to my first husband.  We raised our children together.  Saw ourselves through our divorces and remarriages.  I suffered with her when she lost an amazing man, in her husband, Myron.  And I miss her terribly now that she lives in Texas.

When she called and told me she was going to be in Michigan, I said.....pandemic be damned....and invited her for dinner.  Michellle was a Christmas baby so I made a cake for dessert and we belatedly celebrated her birthday.

The phone call from Michelle was absolutely providence.  I was getting ready for my Bundt Bakers group and the theme this month, chosen by my friend Cam of Culinary Adventures of Camilla, was "A Bit of Nostalgia".  

Cam invited us to join her in sharing a recipe that makes us remember our childhood fondly.  I had already decided to make an apple cake because that is the cake my mother made for my birthday every year until she was uable to make the cakes any longer.  Now, one of my daughters make an apple cake for me each year.

Let's see what memories the others are sharing today........


Bundt Bakers Logo

#BundtBakers is a group of Bundt loving bakers who get together once a month to bake Bundts with a common ingredient or theme. You can see all our of lovely Bundts by following our Pinterest board. We take turns hosting each month and choosing the theme/ingredient. Updated links for all of our past events and more information about BundtBakers, can be found on our home page


Oona Out of Order

Cam is also the administrator of Lit Happens, an online book club to which I belong.  Lit Happens is not a foodie book club and there is no requirement to be a blogger to belong to this club where we all read the same book each month and then have an on line discussion about it.

This month's choice was Oona, Out of Order.  This novel is about a woman, Oona, who time travels through her life, never knowing in which year she will land.  She travels from being a teenager to being a 51 year old which, as you might imagine, is quite a shock to her system.  She then returns to a younger version of herself. 

This travel takes place each year on New Year's Eve which also happens to be Oona's birthday.  Oona often awakens to find herself with a birthday cake in front of her.  When I decided to make this cake for Bundt Bakers from memories of my own birthday celebrations, I knew this was a perfect theme with which to review this novel.  

Oona, leaves herself letters that she learns about during her first trip when she meets Kenzie, her best friend and confidante who is one of only 2 people who know about this strange afflicition of Oonas, the other being her mother.

It is a fun, interesting read.  It made me wonder if I would want to time travel through my life and change any of my decisions.  In fact, this is one of the questions posed in our facebook discussion.  While this club does not require blog posts or recipes, I find myself posting both nearly every month.

Slice of cake

This cake was not only delicious it is also fairly healthy being made with whole wheat flour and including 4 apples.  I found the recipe in Eating Well which I have been devouring since my husband's health scare in an attempt to keep his blood pressure in check and his heart healthy.


Apple Cake pin

I am also linking up with Foodies Read where we Foodies gather to share what we are reading each month.  


Cakes, Desserts, Cinnamon, Apples,
Desserts, Cakes
American
Yield: 12 servings
Author: Wendy Klik
Cinnamon Apple Bundt

Cinnamon Apple Bundt

Tender yellow cake flavored with cinnamon, studded with fresh apples and drizzled with caramel sauce. Perfect as dessert or for breakfast with a cup of coffee.
Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 50 MinTotal time: 1 H & 4 M

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 c. white whole wheat flour
  • 1 T. cinnamon
  • 2 t. baking powder
  • 1 1/2 t. baking soda
  • 1 t. salt
  • 1 c. sugar
  • 1/2 c. packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 c. canola oil
  • 1/2 c. orange juice
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 t. vanilla
  • 4 apples, peeled, cored and chopped ( I used 2 Macintosh and 2 Jonagolds)
  • Caramel syrup, if desired

Instructions

  1. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.  Set aside.
  2. Place both sugars, oil and orange juice in the large bowl of a stand mixer that has been fitted with the paddle attachment.  Beat on medium speed until combined.  Add the eggs and vanilla and beat until just combined.  Add the flour mixture and mix on low speed until incorporated.  Fold in the apples.
  3. Transfer the batter to a bundt pan that has been treated with baking spray.  
  4. Bake in a preheated 350* oven for about 50 minutes, until a skewer removes cleanly.  Let cool in pan for 10 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
  5. Drizzle cooled cake with caramel syrup, if desired.

Notes:

Adapted from a recipe found at Living Well.

Calories

329.96

Fat (grams)

11.48

Sat. Fat (grams)

1.32

Carbs (grams)

54.29

Fiber (grams)

4.50

Net carbs

49.79

Sugar (grams)

33.23

Protein (grams)

5.70

Sodium (milligrams)

471.26

Cholesterol (grams)

62.00

14 comments:

  1. The cake looks delicious, and it is wonderful that there are so many stories and memories attached to it.

    be safe... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

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  2. It's so nice to catchup with friends and that too celebrate her birthday with such a delicious cake.

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  3. Oh yummm apples and caramel are a match made in heaven - this sounds amazing!

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  4. That's a lovely cake Wendy! I love apples, cinnamon, and caramel. It's a perfect cake for the theme. Also, love two facts. I am very happy that you celebrated your friend's birthday with this cake! The second one being that your daughter makes you an apple birthday cake for you continuing after your mom's tradition, making you feel special and not miss it. Gorgeous cake!

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    Replies
    1. We have 6 children Radha and they are all so lovely.....we are truly blessed.

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  5. I am so envious of your time with your friend, Wendy. Special friends call for special cake and your lovely apple caramel one certainly qualifies!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Stacy....I had to take the opportunity even during quarantine.

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  6. Pandemic be damned, indeed. Lifelong friends need special treatment, right?! Thanks for joining in and I love following your cooking adventures. Always.

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  7. Love the recipe and the book. I'm a big time travel fan and can't wait to read the book. While eating a slice of the cake of course.

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  8. Wendy..
    Your memories are of love for your mommy
    and that's the most beautiful thing in the world
    Keep celebrating with your childhood flavor
    it's the best!

    ReplyDelete

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