Apple Streusel Coffee Cake

(Please pretend that there's a mouth-watering picture to accompany this recipe)

I'm posting this recipe for Page, and unfortunately she is having internet troubles and couldn't make it to the local Super8 to borrow their internet. ;-D

Please use your imagination....this is one cake that you'll be sure to wanna make!

~Apple Streusel Coffee Cake~


Streusel

1 1/4c packed light brown sugar
3/4 all purpose flour
1 stick cold butter, cut in small pieces
2 tsp cinnamon
1 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped


Cake:

3 1/4 cup all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp of baking soda
1.5 stick of butter, at room temp
1 1/4 cup sugar
3 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1 16oz container of plain, low-fat yogurt
2 Large Apples, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/2" pieces


1. Heat your oven to 350. Grease and flour a 14 cup non-stick bundt pan.

2. In a med size bowl, mix all the streusel ingredients together until crumbly and butter is incorporated.

3. Mix dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, and baking soda). Cream butter and sugar in large bowl till fluffy, beat eggs in one at a time beating well after each. Beat in vanilla and yogurt. With mixer on low speed, beat in flour mixture till just blended.

4. Spoon 3 cups of batter into the pan and spread evenly. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of streusel, then the apples, then a 1/2 cup of the streusel. Spoon the remaining batter over top of that. Sprinkle the rest of your streusel, pressing down lightly so it sticks to the batter.

5. Bake for 50-60min or until toothpick inserted into cake comes out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack for 15min. Remove from pan (put plate on top and flip the pan over) and cool completely.


This cake is amazing with ice cream, whipped cream, homemade caramel sauce, or just by itself! It's a comforting dessert that is perfectly paired with coffee or tea, and tastes even better if you're enjoying it while curled up by a warm fire, in your fav chair, in the middle of Winter. :-)


~Page

Crockpot Apple Butter!!!

This is our week of Apple Recipes!! {Unfortunately, Page is having internet trouble so you will have to make do with my recipes for now.} ;-)
The first recipe to kick off our "Week of Apples" was posted on Sunday, and one you definitely don't wanna miss!! Click here in case you missed the chance to drool over these Decadent Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars!! Mmmmm! Now for the 2nd recipe of the week.........



How many of you know what "Apple Butter" is? I was surprised how many people I know who have never even tasted it in all its glory! I guess it's one of those old fashioned delights that get forgotten about. I LOVE it, and know you will too!

I've been busy making Apple Butter ALL day! Well, actually my crock pot has been busy making it all day. That's right, this is the easiest recipe EVER, because you just throw all the ingredients in your crock pot and let it cook away. How cool is that!?!


Ingredients:

3lb Apples (peeled, sliced, and enough to fill your crock pot- I like them tart)
4 cup sugar (3 white, 1 brown - I adjust it depending on the tartness of my apples)
2 tsp Cinnamon
1 tsp Nutmeg
1/2 Allspice
1/2 Cloves
Dash of Salt
3/4c water or cider

Place all ingredients in crock pot and stir to coat evenly. Cover and cook on low setting overnight or until the butter is of a thick, spreadable consistency. Depending on your crock pot, you might want to cook on high and then reduce to low. The goal is for the apples to reduce down to a thick, brown consistency. For a smoother texture, place in blender and blend in batches. **Use EXTREME CAUTION when blending hot items, you must blend in batches with a cloth covering the opening of your blender's lid to keep from causing an explosion**

Store in refrigerator for up to 6 weeks. Freeze for longer storage.

Page & I both love our Apple Butter and love to can it! Click here for Page's tutorial on water bath canning. Canning your Apple Butter insures you'll be able to indulge in its deliciousness year round! *Note: If you're really selfless, you might think about using your homemade Apple Butter as gifts....notice, I said MIGHT. haha!

~Spread on warm buttermilk biscuits, toast, pancakes, etc. Mmmmm!

Oh yeah, and did I mention that your home will smell amazing? :-)

Bon Appetit,
~Lauren