Monday, September 19, 2011

Weekend Work

I had a "Great Pumpkin" weekend, sewing and stuffing a mini patch full of sincere pumpkins for my show at the end of October. Hope it won't be too late to sell pumpkins! Here they are so far in their nekkid and stemless state. I've used osnaburg for these because I like its primitive look, especially when painted and stained. However, because of its looser weave, sometimes when stuffed tightly it will pull apart a bit at points of stress so I've attached little fabric circles for added stability to the bottoms where this tends to occur.
Design by Sweet Meadows Farm
Today I'll begin staining and painting them and then add their stems.
Local apples are now available and I bought a couple of bags of apples at the farmer's market Saturday. It was my turn to bring treats for our monthly departmental meeting and I thought an apple cake would make a good seasonal dessert. I substituted brown sugar for most of the white because I ran out of white but I don't think it mattered much. I usually follow recipes exactly, unless forced to make changes. 


Chunky Apple Cake with Browned Butter Frosting

Cake
1 cup butter, softened
2 cups granulated sugar
3 eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
3 cups coarsely chopped peeled apples (about 3 medium)
1 cup chopped walnuts

Frosting
1/2 cup butter
3 1/4 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 to 3 tablespoons milk

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour 12 cup fluted tube cake pan.

2. In large bowl, beat 1 cup butter and sugar with mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time, until blended. Stir in vanilla. Mix flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon together. Stir into butter/sugar mixture. Stir in apples and walnuts. Spoon into pan.

3. Bake 50-65 minutes or until knife inserted in center of cake comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes. Remove from pan to cooling rack. Cool completely.

4. In saucepan, heat 1/2 cup butter over medium heat, stirring constantly, until golden brown. Gradually beat in powdered sugar with spoon (I ended up putting it in a bowl and beating it with the mixer because it looked too lumpy to me). Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla and enough milk until frosting is smooth and desired spreading consistency. Spread frosting over top and partially down side of cake. Cut with serrated knife.

Still time to register for my giveaway! I'm still responding to entries and really enjoying visiting everyone's blog, but I will draw and announce the winner on Friday.

9 comments:

annie said...

That sure looks good! Will sure try, hope you sell all your pumpkins!

Robin at The Primitive Hutch said...

Hi Roberta
The apple cake looks so yummy!!!
Thanks for the recipe.
I worked on pumpkins all day today ~ can't wait to see your pumpkin creations.
Prim Blessings
Robin

TheCrankyCrow said...

Ooooo...that looks and sounds SOOO good....YUMMM! Thanks for sharing the recipe with us! And - nah...never too late for pumpkins - especially for us pumpkin hoarders!!! Can't wait to see the final products!! Smiles & Hugs ~ Robin

Trace4J said...

Roberta Girlfriend!
Yummmmo I just love baking in the Fall and this cake will be a must.
Looks fabulous!!
Hope you sell all your pumpkins. Everyone loves pumpkins.
Hugs Trace

www.grannytracescrapsandsquares.com

Beckyjean said...

Hi Roberta~

Can't wait to see those pumpkins all finished up in their prim glory. The apple cake sounds & looks delish!! Thanks for sharing the recipe.

Enjoy your evening~Becky

Cat Nap Inn Primitives said...

oh I love your "sincere" pumpkin patch..i love pumpkins..got back home last night and then went grocery shopping for a few items..and of course I picked up 2 of the largest pumpkins there along with the little bags of mixed ones..and oh that cake looks sooooo good..I have been craving sweets..and that one would hit the spot.;) have a wonderful day..I love your work..:)

Deppen homestead 1862 said...

Girl thanks for the recipe~I am drooling over that cake~ YUM!!!
have a wonderful fall day~
smiles
Teresa

Lou said...

Hi! your pumpkins are so sweet as they are let alone when they are finished-can't wait to see them :)
and yes one very yummy looking apple cake-thanks for the recipe.
hugs Lou.xx

My Colonial Home said...

Interesting looking pumpkins! Wish I liked Machine stitching - and your cake recipe sounds wonderful.
Thanks for sharing.
Karen