I looked out the window and realized that all signs of Fall had disappeared. The trees had shed most of their beautiful leaves, the pumpkins and Halloween decorations in the front yards had been replaced with reindeer, and it was turning pitch dark outside by 5:30 p.m.
These short days are probably my least favorite part of the season. That along with the multiple layers to stay warm. I find myself counting the days to spring and it isn’t even officially winter yet. At such times, baking always cheers me up. Of course, the extra heat from the oven doesn’t hurt either!
I have been walking past an assortment of apples in my fruit bowl for weeks now, mentally making a note to bake an apple cake soon. These were the prasadam apples from the Navaratri goody bags and so the cake had to be eggless. Looking at the weather outside, a spicy apple cake came to mind.
This cake is a simple, homey cake. The crunchy top, chunks of apple and undertones of warm cinnamon will remind you of an apple pie. Not overly sweet, it is great with a cup of tea in the afternoon but this pretty cake dusted with some powdered sugar would work beautifully on a brunch table too.
Printable Recipe1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup white whole wheat flour (I used chapati flour)
1/2 cup almond meal (you can substitute with 1/2 cup all-purpose flour)
3/4 cup raw sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 cup milk
1/2 cup yogurt
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup oil
2 tsp apple cider vinegar/lemon juice
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups peeled and cored small apple chunks
1 whole apple
4 tbsp dark brown sugar, divided into 2 tbsp eachPreheat oven to 350 degrees FGrease an 8 or 9 inch springform pan.
Mix the flours, almond meal, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl.
Mix the milk, applesauce, condensed milk, vinegar, oil and vanilla in another bowl.
Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients until just mixed. Do not overmix.
Put int apple chunks in a small bowl and add 2 tbsp of brown sugar.
Peel, core and cut the large apple into 16 slices.
Spread half the batter into the springform pan. The batter is stiffer than normal cake batter.
Spread the apple chunks over the batter.
Cover with the remaining batter, arrange the apple slices in a circle on top and sprinkle the remaining 2 tbsp sugar over the top of cake.
Bake for 1 hr. Test with a skewer in the center and if still wet, bake for another 20 mins making sure to check after every 5 mins.
Cool completely before removing from pan.
