Tag: APPLES

APPLE BREAD PUDDING with CREME ANGLAISE & SAUTEED APPLES

APPLE BREAD PUDDING serves 8-10
2 tablespoons butter
3 large GRANNY SMITH apples (1 1/2 POUNDS), peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
3 cups heavy cream
3 large eggs
1 large egg yolk
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
16 ounce cinnamon-raisin bread loaf, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
1 LARGE croissant, broken into small pieces
1/4 cup golden raisins
4 tablespoons turbinado sugar

  • Preheat oven to 375°.
  • Melt butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Add apples, and cook, stirring occasionally, 8-10 minutes or until softened and lightly browned.
  • Whisk together cream, eggs, egg yolk, sugar and cinnamon in a large bowl until smooth.
  • Stir in bread cubes and croissant pieces and let stand 5 minutes.
  • Stir in cooked apples.
  • Sprinkle 2 tablespoons turbinado sugar into a buttered 13- x 9-inch baking dish.
  • Fold in bread pieces and raisins to apple mixture, and spread in an even layer into baking dish.
  • Sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons turbinado sugar.
  • Bake at 375° for 40-45 minutes or until light golden and center is set. Pudding will puff to the top of dish and pull away slightly from sides as it bakes.
  • Cool 10 minutes.
  • Serve warm with Apple Brandy Crème Anglaise and Sautéed Apples if desired.

NOTE:

  • If you like a thinner, crispier bread pudding use a larger baking dish to make a thinner layer. Personally I like LOTS of crispy edges!  Next time I’ll make it in individual ramekins!
  • To make ahead, cover and chill baked and cooled bread pudding overnight. Let stand 20 minutes, then reheat in a 350° oven for 20 minutes.

Sautéed APPLES (OPTIONAL)
2 tablespoons butter
2 large Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced
3 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

  • Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat.a
  • Add apples, and sauté 2 minutes.
  • Stir in sugar and lemon juice, stirring often, 6 to 8 minutes or until golden.

APPLE BRANDY Crème ANGLAISE (OPTIONAL)
1 cup heavy cream
2 large egg yolks
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons apple brandy
1/4 teaspoon QUALITY cinnamon

  • Whisk together cream, egg yolks, and sugar in a 2-qt. saucepan, and cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, 8 to 10 minutes or until mixture thinly coats back of a wooden spoon.
  • Pour through a fine wire-mesh strainer into a bowl.
  • Whisk together the brandy and cinnamon. Stir in to cream mixture.
  • Fill a large bowl with ice and place cream mixture in ice, let stand, stirring constantly for 30 minutes.
  • Cover and chill at least 1 hour or up to 3 days.

PORK ROAST with APPLE PEAR CREAM SAUCE

PORK ROAST with APPLE PEAR CREAM SAUCE
ROAST
3 pound boneless pork roast
1 Vidalia onion, halved and sliced
2 tablespoons butter
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper

  • Preheat oven to 375°.
  • Place butter and onion slices in bottom of shallow roaster.
  • Generously season pork roast and place on top on onions.
  • Roast for 1 1/4- 1 1/2 hours until 165°.
  • Rest 10 minutes while finishing sauce.

SAUCE
2 Japanese pears, peeled, cored and chopped
3 large green onions, diced
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon creamed horseradish
1/2 cup heavy cream

  • Melt butter in sauce pan.
  • Add onions and pears cooking over low heat 20-25 minutes until pear pieces are very tender.
  • Transfer mixture to food processor.
  • Add the cream, horseradish and season with FRESH ground salt and pepper, blending until smooth.
  • Return to sauce pan and reheat until cooked through.
  • Serve over prepared rice.

CARAMEL APPLE HAND PIES

CARAMEL APPLE HAND PIES
DOUGH
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
1/2 cup cold sour cream

  • Whisk together the flour, salt and baking powder in a large bowl.
  • Add the cubed butter to the bowl and use your fingers to work the butter into the flour until the mixture is the consistency of wet sand.
  • Stir in the sour cream (the dough will be very wet), and then turn the dough out onto a well-floured work surface.
  • Knead the dough a few times until it comes together, adding more flour, 1 teaspoon at a time, if the dough is too sticky to handle.
  • Roll the dough into an 8×10-inch rectangle and dust both sides with flour before folding it into thirds as if you were folding a letter.
  • Rotate the dough 90º and roll it out again into an 8×10-inch rectangle.
  • Fold the dough again into thirds then wrap it securely in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes while you make the filling.

FILLING
2 cups small peeled and SMALL diced Granny Smith apples (about corn kernel size)
Juice of 1 lemon
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon PURE vanilla
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

  • In a small bowl, combine the apples, lemon juice, cinnamon, sugar and flour, stirring until thoroughly mixed. Set aside.

ASSEMBLY
Egg wash – 1 egg lightly whisked with 1 Tablespoon water
LARGE flake sea salt
Crystal sanding sugar

  • Preheat the oven to 425º.
  • Remove the dough from the refrigerator and unfold it onto a well-floured surface, rolling it out to a 14×14-inch square.
  • Using a 3-inch circular cookie cutter or cup, cut out as many circles as possible. Re-roll the scraps and continue cutting out circles until you run out of dough, ensuring you end up with an even number of circles.
  • Place six of the dough circles on a Silpat or parchment paper-lined cookie sheet. Spoon a small portion of the apple filling into the center of each circle, leaving enough of a border around the filling.
  • Top the apple filling with a pinch of sea salt.
  • Place a second dough circle atop each filled circle then use a fork to crimp the edges together, sealing each pie.
  • Brush each pie with the egg wash, and using a sharp knife, cut two or three vents on the top of each pie.
  • Sprinkle the pies with crystal sanding sugar.
  • Bake the pies until they’re golden brown, about 15 minutes.
  • Remove the pies from the oven and allow them to cool for 10 minutes before glazing.

GLAZE
Juice of 1 Large lemon
+/- 1/2 cup powdered sugar

  • Blend together to desired consistency.

NOTES:

  • I like to use a FULL wine bottle to roll the dough as the weight helps it stay smoother.
  • I also roll the dough between 2 sheets of wax paper so I don’t need t add as much flour.
  • Large flake sea salt is available in most specialty supermarkets.

CARAMEL GLAZED APPLES

I’ve been making these for years, but they never grow old and are a GREAT fruity pick me up in this cold weather.
4 large Granny Smith apples (I used Honey Crisp, but they’re only available for such a short window of time)
4 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons Kahlua’
4 tablespoons golden raisins

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  • Peel and core apples.
  • Slice each apple horizontally into 5 or 6 slices.
  • Place apples in a 9×9 baking dish.
  • Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of raisins into each apple.
  • Melt butter and whisk in the Kahlua’.
  • Drizzle over the apples.
  • Bake uncovered 45-60 minutes until fork tender.
  • Baste every 15 minutes.

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup heavy cream
pinch of salt

  • In a heavy saucepan whisk together the water, sugar, corn syrup and a pinch of salt.
  • Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring until sugar is completely dissolved.
  • Boil without stirring until mixture turns golden.
  • Remove from heat.
  • Slowly stir in the cream.
  • Let cool.
  • To serve, plate apples in their stack, pour caramel sauce down the center of each apple and top with a scoop of french vanilla ice cream.

DOUBLE APPLE BUNDT CAKE ala Dorie Greenspan

Here is another Dorie Greenspan cake that topped my list from when I did the meme several years back.

DOUBLE APPLE BUNDT CAKE

2 cups ALL PURPOSE flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon QUALITY ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon salt
10 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 ½ cups sugar
1 cup apple butter
2 eggs
2 medium apples, peeled, cored and grated
1 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped
½ cup plump golden raisins

  • Center a rack in the oven and preheat the oven to 350°.
  • Butter a 12 cup Bundt pan.
  • Dust the interior of the pan with flour, then tap out the excess.
  • Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices and salt. Set aside.
  • Working with a stand mixer beat the butter and sugar on medium speed, scarping the bowl as needed for 3 minutes or until the mixture is smooth, thick and pale.
  • Add the eggs one at a time, beating for about 1 minute after each addition; until you have a light, fluffy batter. Reduce the mixer speed to low and beat in the apple butter. It may appear to curdle the batter, don’t worry it will be okay.
  • With the mixer still on low speed add the grated apples and mix to completely blend.
  • Add the dry ingredients, mixing only until they disappear into the batter.
  • Using a rubber spatula, fold in the nuts and raisins.
  • Turn the batter into the Bundt pan and smooth the top of the batter with the rubber spatula.
  • Bake for 50 to 55 minutes, or until a think knife inserted deep into the center of the cake comes out clean.
  • Transfer the pan to a cooling rack to cool for 5 minutes before inverting and cooling the cake to room temperature.
  • If possible, once the cake is completely cool, wrap well in plastic and let it stand overnight at room temperature to ripen the flavors.
  • If you’re not going to ice the cake, you can dust it with confectioners’ sugar just before serving.

OPTIONAL GLAZE:
1/3 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons fresh orange or lemon juice

  • Put the sugar in a small bowl and stir in a squirt or two of either orange or lemon juice. Keep adding the juice a little at a time until you have a glaze that falls easily from the tip of a spoon.
  • Drizzle the glaze over the top of the cake letting it slide down the curves of the cake in whatever pattern it makes.
  • Let the cake stand until the glaze dries before slicing.

SHARING with FOODIE FRIDAY and TASTY THURSDAY.

CARAMEL APPLE CHEESECAKE

This is one of the most decadent desserts and yet so simple too.

APPLE CARAMEL CHEESECAKE

CRUST
2 cups crushed gingersnap and vanilla wafer crumbs*
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup Fisher’s Cinnamon Pecans
11 ounce bag Kraft caramels
1/2 cup milk

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  • Combine cookie crumbs, melted butter and the pecans.
  • Press firmly into the bottom and up the sides of a 9 inch springform pan.
  • Using a double boiler whisk together the milk and caramels until smooth.
  • Pour half of the caramel mixture over the crust, refrigerating the rest for later.
  • Refrigerate crust while making the filling.

FILLING
(2) 8 ounce packages cream cheese, softened at room temperature
2/3 cup extra fine sugar
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon PURE vanilla
2 large Honey Crisp apples, peeled, cored and sliced thin

  • In a large mixing bowl cream the cream cheese until smooth.
  • Gradually add sugar until well incorporated.
  • Add eggs, one at a time, blending until VERY smooth.
  • Blend in vanilla.
  • Spread mixture evenly over prepared crust.
  • Arrange apple slices evenly over cream cheese mixture.
  • Bake on enter rack for 50-60 minutes until set (center should be only be SLIGHTLY jiggly.
  • Remove from oven and cool 20 minutes.

TOPPING
1 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons extra fine sugar
1 teaspoon PURE vanilla

  • Increase oven temperature to 475 degrees.
  • Whisk together sour cream, sugar and vanilla until smooth.
  • Spread evenly over cheesecake.
  • Bake 5 minutes.
  • Remove from oven and cool 30 minutes.
  • Chill at least 3 hours (I do 8-10 hours).

GARNISH
1 Hershey’s milk chocolate ball
1 square unsweetened baking chocolate
1/2 cup Fisher’s Cinnamon Pecans

  • Grate chocolates together.

TO SERVE

  • Microwave reserve caramel sauce 15 seconds.
  • Pour a small amount over each slice and then sprinkle with chocolate gratings and reserved pecans.

*If you prefer the original recipe called for graham cracker crumbs

CARAMEL GLAZED APPLES

Caramel Glazed ApplesGLAZED APPLES IN CARAMEL SAUCE

4 large Granny Smith apples (I used Honey Crisp, but they’re only available for such a short window of time)

4 tablespoons butter

4 tablespoons Kahlua’

4 tablespoons golden raisins

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  • Peel and core apples.
  • Slice each apple horizontally into 5 or 6 slices.
  • Place apples in a 9×9 baking dish.
  • Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of raisins into each apple.
  • Melt butter and whisk in the Kahlua’.
  • Drizzle over the apples.
  • Bake uncovered 45-60 minutes until fork tender.
  • Baste every 15 minutes.

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup light corn syrup

1/4 cup heavy cream

pinch of salt

  • In a heavy saucepan whisk together the water, sugar, corn syrup and a pinch of salt.
  • Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring until sugar is completely dissolved.
  • Boil without stirring until mixture turns golden.
  • Remove from heat.
  • Slowly stir in the cream.
  • Let cool.
  • To serve, plate apples in their stack, pour caramel sauce down the center of each apple and top with a scoop of french vanilla ice cream.

UPSIDE DOWN APPLE PIE

UPSIDE DOWN APPLE PIEYield: 8 servings.

original recipe from Taste of Home

CRUST:

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

6 tablespoons shortening (Crisco stick)

2 tablespoons cold butter

5 to 7 tablespoons orange juice

FILLING:

6 tablespoons butter, melted, divided

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup chopped pecans (or walnuts)

1 cup Imperial Sugar

1/3 cup all-purpose flour (sifted)

1/2 teaspoon rum extract (optional)

1/2 teaspoon maple extract (optional)

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

8 cups thinly sliced peeled tart apples (I like honey crisp or Granny Smith) (about 1/8-inch thick)

GLAZE:

1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar

2 to 3 teaspoons orange juice

  • In a large bowl, combine flour and salt; cut in shortening and butter until crumbly.
  • Gradually add orange juice, tossing with a fork until dough forms a ball.
  • Divide dough into two balls. Wrap in plastic wrap; refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
  • Line a 9-in. deep-dish pie plate with heavy-duty foil, leaving 1-1/2 in. beyond edge; coat the foil with cooking spray.
  • Combine 4 tablespoons butter, brown sugar and nuts; spoon into prepared pie plate.
  • In a large bowl, combine the apples, sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg and remaining butter; toss gently.
  • Combine 4 tablespoons butter, brown sugar and nuts; spoon into prepared pie plate.
  • In a large bowl, combine the apples, sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg and remaining butter; toss gently.
  • On waxed paper, roll out one ball of pastry to fit pie plate.
  • Place pastry over nut mixture, pressing firmly against mixture and sides of plate; trim to 1 in. beyond plate edge.
  • Fill with apple mixture.
  • Roll out remaining pastry to fit top of pie; place over filling. Trim to 1/4 in. beyond plate edge.
  • Fold bottom pastry over top pastry; seal and flute edges. Cut four 1-in. slits in top pastry.
  • Bake at 375° for 50-55 minutes or until apples are tender and crust is golden brown (cover edges with foil during the last 20 minutes to prevent over browning).
  • Cool for 15 minutes on a wire rack. Invert onto a serving platter; carefully remove foil. Combine glaze ingredients; drizzle over pie.