Give Away #1: 10" Square Tube Pan

My apologies for anyone left waiting while I bake. 

I had a small disaster that delayed this post by a day or two.  You see, my initial post was supposed to be about angel food cake.  But thankfully, the total disaster that ensued after my egg whites fell and turned my awesome cake into a goey, gross glob - well, that gave me an opportunity to test the dishwasher-worthiness of the pan as well.  (Just so you know, it did just great in the dishwasher.)

I don't blame the pan.  I blame Irene.  I'm sure the pressure systems that girl is spewing out are affecting Indiana.  I'm CERTAIN.  But Irene couldn't touch my amazing apple cake. 

Oh.  My.  Goodness.

First of all, this recipe is to die for.  It's one I found not long ago and altered a bit to make it my own.  I also used the apples that are literally falling off the tree in my back yard, so in addition to being delicious, this cake was also frugal.  Gotta love that! 

Here's the recipe, with my own attempts at photography in between...

6-8 apples (mine were super tart green ones)
1 tablespoon cinnamon
5 tablespoons sugar

2 3/4 cups flour, sifted
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup melted butter
2 cups sugar
1/4 cup apple juice
2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
4 eggs
1/4 brown sugar
1 cup walnuts, chopped (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter, line with parchment and flour your tube pan. Peel, core and chop apples into chunks. Toss with cinnamon and sugar and set aside.

If you're thinking that's a lot of apples.  You're right.  Stay tuned for a series of
posts on apple pies, apple gumbo, apple dumplings, apple sauce and finally,
apples in the garbage disposal cuz we CANNOT eat any more apples!

Sift flour, baking powder and salt in bowl of a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment or large mixing bowl. In another bowl, combine butter, apple juice, sugar and vanilla. Pour wet ingredients into dry and mix just until moistened, then add eggs, one at a time, scraping down the bowl to make sure it's all mixed up.  Do not overmix!

Sprinkle brown sugar in bottom of pan, half of the apples and half the walnuts if desired. 

Scoop and spread half the batter, add the rest of the apples and walnuts, cover with remaining batter - this might take a little maneuvering as the batter is on the thick side. 

Bake for about an hour and ten minutes, or until a tester comes out clean.

And when you turn it out of the pan...oooooo, look at all that carmelized goodness!

See what that brown sugar does?  Oh, heaven:).

And what a wonderful pan I had to bake it in!  Want one of your own????

Just remember DA RULES!  Post your name and say something nice - or send an email to bakelore@gmail.com, subject line "I love Fat Daddio!!!!" And please, if you don't mind, tell me where you are!!

Good Luck!