Anna Sultana’s Apple & Walnut Cake and Apple Pie Spice and Apple Varieties

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Pumpkin is usually included in our traditional holiday meals.

But what’s Autumn without apples?

MacIntosh, Ambrosia, Granny Smith…

Pies, Cobblers, Cakes…

There are so many new apple varieties and new apple recipes to try.

A few weeks ago I posted the recipe for Ma's Apple Kuchen.

Hope you tried - and liked - it.

The new varieties of apples can be a little overwhelming.

Not sure if you’ll like a different type of apple?

Here's a quick guide to some of them to get you started:

Ambrosia - aromatic, sweet

Braeburn - tart, spicy

Cortland - mild, sweet

Fuji - juicy, sweet

Granny Smith - tart, tangy

Honeycrisp - crisp, juicy

Jonagold - snappy, sweet

MacIntosh - tangy, classic

Pink Lady - tangy, crisp

And they can be served in so many ways!

Here are a few of Ma’s favourite recipes:

Apple Cinnamon Bread

Apple Bread Pudding

Apple Pudding

Caramel Apple Cheesecake

Apple Cobbler & Apple Crisp (also Rhubarb and Peach Variations)

Spicy Apple Oatmeal Cookies 

Mulled Apple Cider 

Have leftover Ritz crackers after a holiday gathering?

They can be used to make a Mock Apple Pie.

Really.

Waste not, want not!

Hints:

Don’t have applesauce?

Use a mashed ripe banana instead.

Prefer an all Granny Smith, or all Gala or all Macintosh apple cake?

Use what you like - or what was available at a good price.

                        Apple Pie Spice Blend

1/4 Cup cinnamon

2 Tablespoons nutmeg

2 Tablespoons allspice

Makes 1/2 Cup

Apple Pie Spice would also add a nice touch to apple cobblers and warm apple sauce.

                    Apple & Walnut Cake

Grease a 9 x 13 inch pan

Mix together in a medium bowl

2 Cups flour

1 Cup sugar

1/2 Cup brown sugar (light or dark)

1 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 teaspoons apple pie spice blend

In a small bowl combine

1 1/2 Tablespoons sugar 

1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

Peel, core, and dice

2 medium Granny Smith apples

2 medium Gala apples

Set aside.

Chop enough walnuts to make !/2 Cup.

Spread on a cookie sheet and toast at 325º F about 2 minutes.

Watch so that they don’t burn.

Remove from the oven and set aside.

         

Place the rack in the middle of the oven.

Preheat oven to 350°F         

In large mixer bowl place

1/4 Cup oil

1/2 Cup applesauce

Mix well.

Add, one at a time, beating well after each addition

2 large eggs

Add 1/4 of the flour mixture and stir just until mixed.  

Make 3 more flour mixture additions, stirring just until mixed after each one.

Then add 

the diced apples 

the toasted walnuts 

Stir until just mixed.

Turn batter into the prepared pan, spreading evenly.

Top with the cinnamon sugar mixture.

Bake at 350°F for 40 to 45 minutes.

A skewer inserted in the centre should come out clean. 

Cool cake in pan before serving. 

Before serving dust with

Confectioner’s sugar (optional)