Fall Is In The Air!

Fall is my absolute favorite time of year. I love the falling leaves, crisp cool air, pumpkins, cornstalks, sweaters and apple cider that October brings. It's also the perfect time of year for baking with apples. So last night I made the most delicious Apple Cake with Maple Frosting. The recipe comes from a cookbook Tom & I received as a wedding gift, Williams-Sonoma Essentials of Baking. The cake was very moist with just a hint of cinnamon and nutmeg, and a nice crunch from the walnuts. I added extra powdered sugar to the icing to stiffen it up faster because we couldn't wait until it cooled to eat it!

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves [I left this out because I don't like cloves]

1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature

1 1/2 cups sugar

3 large eggs, room temperature

1/2 cup buttermilk, room temperature

2 cups diced, peeled apples [I used Granny Smith]

1/2 cup walnuts, toasted and chopped

Maple Frosting

1 cup pure maple syrup

1/4 cup unsalted butter

1/2 heavy cream

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

2 cups powdered sugar

To make cake:

Sift together dry ingredients in a large bowl. In another large bowl, combine butter and sugar and beat on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 3-5 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.

Using a rubber spatula, gently fold in 1/3 of flour mixture, until almost fully incorporated. Fold in 1/2 buttermilk, then fold in another 1/3 of flour mixture, followed by remaining buttermilk. Add remaining flour mixture, apples, walnuts, and using a light lifting motion and turning the bowl continuously, fold in until the batter is smooth and flour is thoroughly incorporated. Do not fold too vigorously or the cake will be tough.

Spread batter in a 9 x 13 buttered baking pan and bake at 350 degrees until top of cake is brown and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean - about 35-40 minutes. Transfer to wire rack to cool. Cool completely before frosting.

To make Maple Frosting:

In saucepan over medium-high heat, simmer maple syrup until it reduces by half, about 15 minutes. Stir in butter. Remove from heat and add vanilla and cream. Sift powdered sugar into a bowl, and pour maple mixture over sugar. Beat with whisk until smooth and creamy. Let cool completely before frosting cake.