We made it to Lincoln today. I was very proud of myself for remembering to take a list along to remind me of all the things to purchase, not so proud of myself for not remembering to actually check it in the stores. I had several ‘go back’ moments in the parking lots.
When I was done I went back to Lloyd’s school to see if he was ready to go.
Lloyd: “It’s going to be a while.”
Lauren: “Like ‘regular’ awhile or ‘many hours’ awhile?”
Lloyd: “Many hours.”
Grrrrrr. I had a cake I wanted to try baking, dang it! I had all the ingredients waiting in the car! Now I was stuck hanging around this stupid school with its stupid classrooms – gym, computer room, library, home ec., shop, music room…..
Wait.
Back up.
I asked Lloyd if it would be a problem if I used the home ec. room if I was very, very tidy, and he mumbled something about the computers not working. I took that as a ‘yes’.
It is a ridiculously easy recipe with only six ingredients, and it is low-fat and jam-packed full of apples, so it’s practically health food. The real recipe is here, complete with gorgeous photos and witty writing. My version is here, with only ‘after’ photos taken with Lloyd’s phone:
Snoop through the cupboards to find a little 6-inch pan like you used for the clerical collar cake, because you’re going to halve the original recipe. Line it with foil for two reasons: 1) you don’t have a springform pan and 2) you don’t want to have to wash the cake pan later. Smooth out the wrinkles and spray with cooking spray.
Get out a cutting board (one dirty dish) and a peeler (two dirty dishes) and a knife (three dirty dishes). Peel, core and cut up three apples into chunks. Pile them in the foil-lined pan and then wash, dry and put away your evidence.
In a mixing bowl (four dirty dishes) whisk (five dirty dishes) two eggs, but dump out about 1/2 an egg’s worth. Add 1/2 cup (six dirty dishes) of sugar that you brought, and whisk like there’s no tomorrow. Add 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla (no dirty dish, I just poured from my bottle) and a little sprinkle of cinnamon, borrowed from the cupboard. (My apologies to Susan, the family sciences teacher. I repaid it by pouring all the rest of my sugar in the canisters.) You need air in this, and you’re not going to dirty up the hand mixer, by golly.
When it’s light and ribbony (whatever that means), add 1/2 cup of flour and mix until it’s just pulled together. Pour it over the apples and bang the pan around a little to get the batter down in the spaces. You’re supposed to spread it with a knife or spoon but you don’t want to dirty another utensil.
Put the cake in a pre-heated 350-degree oven for 55-60 minutes. Clean up all your evidence and do a little extra tidying so you feel less like a sneak. I loved that kitchen. It was crazy fun using it! Susan, if you are reading this, I think that it is delightfully well-organized and beautiful, and I’m also sorry I didn’t ask permission first.
When done, sprinkle with a little powdered sugar, make sure everything is back where it belongs, and take the cake up to the computer lab to eat with Lloyd.
It is so full of apples!!! I think I might like this better than pie! My favorite was the crunchy cake-y part at the top, and eating two slices of this was like eating a whole apple. See? Healthy.
UPDATE: I made it again tonight, this time ‘thirding’ it – two apples, one egg, 1/3 cup of sugar and 1/3 cup of flour, splash of vanilla and shake of cinnamon. I baked it in a greased cereal bowl for just under an hour and the whole thing was more cake-y – still a crispy top. I gave Lloyd a tiny bit and ate the rest all by myself. My gut hurts.
Brad says
That looks like pie without the crust. Mmm… pie filling….
If I weren’t so lazy, I’d make that so I could taste it. Maybe next time I do a church dinner group I can bring it for dessert. Wait… they always ask me to bring salad. Well, it’s mostly apples. I could tell them it’s fruit salad.
Lauren's dad says
You could have used Lloyd’s Swiss army knife and left it for him to clean.
Beth says
What I want to know is…
Did you do all that while still wearing your coat?
Lauren says
No, this is an ‘after’ picture when we were going home. I had to go back for the remaining four eggs that I hard-boiled for a different recipe later. (Another dirty dish, but a separate event.)
Peggy says
Mmmmm…..I’m going to try this tonight! I like how the batter falls down around the apples.
Is it a cake, is it a pie, no it’s Sharlotka!
Ribs says
My stomach is rumbling just reading this. Must make some of this for myself! Thanks for sharing Lauren.
Deborah says
I can almost taste it!
Lauren says
Update added. *burp*