Monday, September 10, 2012

Gale Gand's Applesauce Cake







From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...I made a huge batch of applesauce this weekend. I processed most of it, but held back a few pints for fall baking. I used tart early apples for my sauce and made it a point to use little, if any, extra sweetener in its preparation. I mention that because I think this lovely, old-fashioned cake would be cloyingly sweet if it were made with a sweetened applesauce. The cake comes from the family of Gale Gand and it was featured by Gale on one of her early television programs. The recipe is straight forward, quite easy to make and the finished cake is a fall delight. It's been on my radar for a while now, and I thought this would be a perfect time to test it and use some of my unprocessed applesauce as well. Unfrosted, the cake would be a perfect addition to a box or brown bag lunch. It's also a great addition to a morning coffee or afternoon tea. It is important to sift the flour used in the cake before it is measured. I use the old-fashioned sift, spoon and level technique to keep the flour from weighing down the cake batter. It also helps to know that the creamed mixture will look curdled when the applesauce is added to it. Not to worry! Somehow, it all miraculously comes together and the finished caked will have a moist, lovely crumb and no trace of curdling will be evident. Be sure to coat the pans well. This cake is loath to leave the comfort of its pan and you may have to wrestle with it to get it to release. The next time I make this, I plan to line the bottom of my pans with parchment paper, so this won't be a concern. This cake ages well and its flavors improve if it is allowed to sit and ripen. I know those of you try this recipe will enjoy the cake. It delivers lots of flavor for a small amount of work. Here's how it is made.


Gale Gand's Applesauce Cake
...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite courtesy of Gale Gand

Ingredients:
2-1/4 cups all purpose flour, measured after sifting
2 teaspoons baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
4 ounces (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 cups firmly packed brown sugar (I used golden brown)
2 large eggs, (room temperature)
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup raisins (light or dark)
1 cup walnuts, chopped and toasted
Powdered sugar, optional

Directions:

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Generously grease and flour a bundt pan or two 8-1/2 x 4-1/2 x 2-1/2 inch loaf pans.
2) Sift flour then spoon into measuring cups and level with the back of a knife. Mix measured flour with baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg and sift again.
3) Beat butter until creamy. Add brown sugar and continue mixing. Add eggs, one at a time, and vanilla, then mix until well blended and fluffy.
4) Add applesauce to creamed mixture and stir well. The mixture will appear curdled. Not to worry. Gently stir in flour mixture being sure to scrape sides of bowl and bottom of bowl to assure it is incorporated. Fold in raisins and walnuts. Pour batter into prepared pan/pans and bake for 45 minutes or until cake tests done.
5) Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn on to a wire rack to finish cooling. Yield: 1 bundt or 2 loaf cakes.








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22 comments :

Anonymous said...

Както нашла отличный сайт. Куча советов от знакомых.

Rambling Tart said...

This looks so dense and moist - lovely homey cake. :-)

Diane said...

Bet this tastes wonderful. While I am experimenting with lots of vegetable type cakes, maybe it is time to move to fruit as well. Our carpenters think that the cakes are wonderful and all the time I can keep them happy...... Take care Diane

Bakericious said...

I can smell the cinnamon fragrance from here, this cake must be very yummy.

Duncan D. Horne - the Kuantan blogger said...

My daughter commented, "Whoa! . . . I don't like apple in it!"

Can't get her to eat any fruits or vegetables!!
Duncan In Kuantan

What's Baking?? said...

A glorious applesauce cake, Mary.

Priya Suresh said...

Fantastic and super tempting cake.

Yvonne @ StoneGable said...

Mary, This would be delicious as a lunchbox treat! I can just imagine opening up my lunchbox to the beautiful aroma of this applesauce cake... sigh! You make everything you do seem so very special... and it is! Stop by StoneGable... ON THE MENU MONDAY is going on now. Your fabulous applesauce cake would be a very welcomed addition!

Whats Cookin Italian Style Cuisine said...

perfect timing I just bought applesauce and too much of it this is the perfect way to turn it into something fabulous! Thanks!

Tanna said...

As usual, this sounds absolutely wonderful... especially with your own applesauce! Thank you so much for your sweet note. Our newest grandbaby is already here and she is just so sweet. There is nothing like a grand! ;) blessings ~ tanna

Kim said...

This cakes looks absolutely lovely, I will definitly try it when I'll be back from orchard with lots lots of apples!

Unknown said...

I've never met an applesauce cake I didn't like... ok, ok, I've never met a cake I didn't like, but that's not the point!!! :) Looks amazing, Mary!

Leslie said...

I have been meaning to make a cake with applesauce. This sounds amazing!

David said...

Mary, I really like applesauce cake so I'm wondering why its been so long since I've had any! Thanks for the reminder and the recipe... Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

The Red Umbrella said...

My mouth is watering!

Joanne said...

What a simply lovely quickbread! The perfect thing to have with a midday snack and a cup of tea.

Dining Alone said...

I love quickbreads, they are about the only thing I can actually bake with any consistency. Have a wonderful week.

Choc Chip Uru @ Go Bake Yourself said...

This bread has all the makings of a very delicious breakfast, lunch or dinner ;)

Cheers
CCU

Torviewtoronto said...

cake looks wonderful

l o v e l y t h i n g s said...

Your applesauce cake looks so good...and the first photo reminded me that when fall came I was planning to bake my new neighbors something as a way of introducing ourselves. I think this may be just right for that...all tied up with string.

Gloria Baker said...

how are you dear Mary? This cake look georgeous!

Ellen Whyte said...

Love apples but just can't seem to keep them long enough to get into a cake!

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