Happy Fall, Friends. As much as I love the beach, I have to say that the Fall holds a special place in my heart. Maybe it’s the crisp air and the beautiful changing leaves. Or maybe it’s the cozy feeling I get sitting next to a warm fire. I think it’s all of that coupled with the delicious new tastes and scents that come with a new season. There’s pumpkin and cranberry, cinnamon and my all-time favorite apple. Fall just feels, smells and tastes of comfort. It’s cozy and familiar and every year I can’t wait to use some of the new Seasons flavors to “warm” up my home.

Along with the arrival of Fall comes one of my all-time favorite fruits at the Farmers Market. Apples. I could literally eat a few apples a day. I love them so much that I buy lots of them and keep a few dozen of them in my refrigerator at all times when they are in season. There are so many delicious varieties to choose from this time of year and I love them all!

I’m sure most of you have heard the saying, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Well, there’s really something to be said for this catchy old phrase. Apples are extremely healthy for you. Not only are they packed with vitamins and minerals that help promote healthy bones, teeth and skin, they are high in pectin which is a fiber commonly found in fruit that is actually used to make medicine! For years, people have used pectin to combat high cholesterol, high triglycerides, and in the prevention of colon and prostate cancer. Pectin is also used in the treatment of diabetes and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).  A lot of incredible health benefits provided by one simple fruit!

Today, I’m back with more of the seasonal inspiration that I promised to offer you last week with one of my favorite recipes of all time; my apple cake! This recipe reminds me so much of my Grandma’s apple cake that she would make us each time she came to visit us in the U.S. from Argentina. The smell of the apple cake cooking in kitchen today fills my home with the scent of my childhood and nothing is more comforting that that.

So, if you’ve been looking for a delicious, easy recipe that just screams Fall, my Apple Cake is just the right recipe for you.  I have simplified this cake recipe so much that it literally couldn’t be any easier for you, I promise!

Since I am in love with oat flour (it’s so nutty, high in fiber and easy to bake with), I have used it here in replacement of regular flour.  An added bonus is that by doing this, my cake is now gluten-free! I also use brown sugar instead of white sugar because I really feel it gives the cake a warmer, maltier flavor! And you won’t believe it but this is a cake that requires no oil or butter in the ingredients!  Since it’s apple season – I use any farm fresh apples I can find. I love to mix different varieties of apples because the combination of flavors usually creates a sort of “new” apple flavor that’s perfectly tart with incredible bite.

The first time I made my apple cake, I took it out of the oven and my son Ellis dug into it and said, “Mom this is the best apple cake ever”!!  He actually has it for breakfast whenever he can.  I like to eat this cake with a large cup of tea (my current favorite is Trader Joe’s Spiced Chai), sitting outside on a crisp Fall day. And, because my cake is definitely more “apple” than “cake,” I feel like I can have a large piece knowing its actually good for me!

I hope that you make my apple cake in your kitchen this Fall and it fills your home and your heart with happy memories and comfort. XX Janine

 

Janine’s Fabulous Fall Apple Cake

 

Ingredients:

4 cups sliced apples (approx 4 apples) cut into 1/4 inch pieces

3 organic eggs (room temperature)

1 cup light brown sugar

1 cup and 3 Tablespoons Oat flour

1 teaspoon vanilla

Small piece of unsalted butter for the baking pan

8 Inch springform pan – lined with parchment paper

Confectionary sugar to sprinkle on top

 

 

Directions:

Heat the oven to 350°F. Butter the bottom and the sides of an 8-inch springform pan – even though it’s lined with parchment paper, the butter gives a nice flavor.

Peel the apples, then cut them into 1/4-inch pieces – try to make the pieces the same size.  This should yield about 4 cups of apple pieces.

Add the apples to the bottom of the lined pan – spread out evenly.

Combine the room temperature eggs, light brown sugar in a large bowl.  With a hand mixer, start on low, then raise the speed to medium-high, and beat for about 8 minutes, until the mixture is a pale tan in color and fluffy.

When the egg-sugar mixture is finished combine it with the oat flour – gently (do not over mix).   Add the vanilla.

Bake for 50-60 minutes (depending on your oven) – cake should browned on the top and cake tester should come out clean.

Let cool for at least 45 minutes.  Dust top with confectionary sugar.