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Ina’s Cranberry Apple Cake
It’s no mystery that my little Sophia and I love Ina…
she is afterall the amazing Barefoot Contessa.
I’ve been wanting to try this simple recipe for some time…
{Ina’s Cranberry Apple Cake}
With Thanksgiving approaching,
it seemed like the perfect opportunity to try it out.
The recipe is super easy, and has very basic ingredients with perhaps
the exception of fresh cranberries that you may not have on hand.
{Here is what you need}
* 12 ounces fresh cranberries, rinsed and picked over for stems
* 1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored, and diced
* 1/2 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
* 1 tablespoon grated orange zest (2 oranges)
* 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
* 1 1/8 teaspoons ground cinnamon, divided
* 2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
* 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
* 1/4 pound (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
* 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
* 1/4 cup sour cream {I actually substituted with unsweetened almond milk}
* 1 cup all-purpose flour
* 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
** chopped walnuts {optional, but delicious!}**
{Directions}
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
Combine the cranberries, apple, brown sugar, orange zest, orange juice,
and 1 teaspoon of the cinnamon in a medium bowl. Set aside.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment,
beat the eggs on medium-high speed for 2 minutes.
With the mixer on medium, add 1 cup of the granulated sugar,
the butter, vanilla, and sour cream and beat just until combined.
On low speed, slowly add the flour and salt.
Pour the fruit mixture evenly into a 10-inch glass pie plate.
Pour the batter over the fruit, covering it completely.
Combine the remaining 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar
and 1/8 teaspoon of cinnamon and sprinkle it over the batter.
Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the cake
comes out clean and the fruit is bubbling around the edges.
Serve warm or at room temperature.
{Here’s the Scoop}
It’s the perfect Thanksgiving or Christmas dessert.
I agree with many of the reviews on food network that it is almost more cobbler-like,
or maybe even a bread pudding consistency.
You won’t believe how good your house smells when it’s baking!
Upon first bite, I instantly could taste bursts of tangy cranberries…
hints of cinnamon and vanilla…
and the taste of fresh orange combined with the tart apples.
It’s the perfect combination of zesty and sweet!
I think you and your guests will LOVE it!
P.S. I may be enjoying this tomorrow morning with a cup of coffee {wink}.
It could totally be considered a delicious coffee cake!
Gifts for the Hostess
Square toe shoes / Nordstrom green glove / LULU loop scarve / Nordstrom scarve / Butter London lip gloss / Deborah Lippmann nail lacquer / Kennebunk Home ‘elise’ Ruched Plush Throw / Himalayan Trading Post ‘spice Tin’ Candle
Cranberry Sauce
:: Cranberry Sauce ::
**Gobble Gobble**
We are just days away from enjoying our yummy and thankful Turkey dinners.
I enjoy this time baking desserts. I have yet to host an actual Thanksgiving.
I am the eldest of 5 sisters and a brother. Yes I know a big family.
If I am not visiting my husband on Thanksgiving at the fire station {he is off this year hooray!}.
I am visiting either Shane’s family or mine for holidays.
I would love to host {{hint, hint}}.
Though I am not, I am required to bring a few things to dinner.
One of my favorites is my Cranberry Sauce.
Either you like the gelatine type sauce or you don’t.
Mine is not from the can and it is a little chunky.
Just how I like it.
Perfect for left overs {we don’t have any since we don’t host}
or for the Turkey sandwiches you can make for lunch via sliced meat
or even better with the real thing.
I think the sauce is a healthier side than a huge pile of gravy, and its home made!
Here is what is needed:
*2 packages of fresh cranberries
{I actually think Ocean Spray’s Cranberries are the best, but Trader Joe’s are good too.}
*1 cup of sugar {healthier, I know questionable but these little guys are tart}
*1 cup of Brandy {a must and the alcohol burns off so no need to worry}
*3 tablespoons of Orange Peel
You then fully rinse and throw out any berries that are punctured or bad.
Lay the berries in a 9×13 inch pan and heat the oven to 325 degrees.
You will then use a place the 3 tablespoons of orange peel over the cranberries,
along with the sugar and brandy.
Once you have placed all the ingredients into the pan mix everything together.
Fold the berries into the mixture and then place into the oven.
It usually takes about an hour for the liquid to evaporate.
While the sauce is cooking your home will smell heavenly.
The oranges and the cranberries cooking are the essence of holiday!
Once you have noticed most of the liquid has evaporated,
pull the pan out of the oven and let it rest for a half and hour.
Spoon your sauce into a storage bag or tupperware.
Make ahead and freeze for up coming events or place in the fridge for three days max.
Great for impressing guests and even better than the molded kind in a can.
Enjoy!!!
A Day with friends in Oak Glen
On Veteran’s Day, one of our dearest family friends
invited us to come along with them for a day spent in Oak Glen, California.
Husby got off of work that morning from a two-day shift.
We pulled together and attempted to quickly tackle the morning routine
while trying to diffuse little arguments between our kids along the way.
It was definitely one of those chaotic mornings where the house was a mess,
the kids were cranky, and each time I turned around,
Mr. Finn was creating more of a disaster!
We left a good hour after we had planned…
I sacrificed a trip to Starbucks {to get a cup of my current addiction}
and we set forth on the road.
Luckily we didn’t run into any traffic, but we did get a bit off track… {to say the least}!
My dear friend, thankfully, gave me a buzz
and I told her the exit we had just taken
{we had finally stopped for that cup of coffee I was craving – smile}.
My directional friend quickly explained that we were headed the wrong way.
We were, in fact, headed up the mountain towards Lake Arrowhead.
After our detour, we finally hit our destination and couldn’t believe how lovely the area was.
There were yaks, deer, and beautiful country homes situated on roomy lots with big Fall trees.
It was peaceful, crisp, and just what we needed … {especially after the crazy morning we had}.
Although we didn’t have time to visit the apple orchards that particular day,
we did have an amazing day spent with some of our closest friends.
We took our kids to the petting zoo,
and walked around the rustic little town.
We couldn’t leave with out indulging in some vanilla roasted nuts, hot dogs, chili,
and some homemade warm apple burritos.
With two fresh apple pies in hand, we said good-bye to charming Oak Glen.
Hopefully we can make this into a Fall family tradition…
but next time will plan on a full day… with apple picking!
{So thankful to have this girl in my life…. my amazing friend Maria and I}