January 31, 2010

Apple Almond Coffee Cake

We were shopping at a mall yesterday where we came across a petite old man wandering around alone. With tubes inserted into his nose, he's hauling a ventilator which helps him breathe, I believe.

Yes, it was that kind of machine you see attached to a very sick patient in the hospital. Why that old man was carrying it while he's shopping? I don't know. Probably he needs it or he's trying to show off, cause when I looked down to that machine, a hanging note said, " You could have this prize for smoking." 

It's been almost 5 years since I decided to quit my 10-year smoking life. I don't think it's even necessary for me to stress how bad smoking is. Just ask yourself, my friends and family, if you want to have that non-returnable prize for the rest of your life.

(makes one 9" cake)
Ingredients:
2 Granny Smith apples
Juice from 1 lemon
1 1/2 cups + 2 tbsp all purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp allspice
1 cup granulated sugar
3 eggs
3/4 cup sour cream
6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
1/4 tsp almond extract
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup almonds, toasted and coarsely chopped
1/2 cup almond slices

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350F. Grease a 9" round cake pan.

Peel and dice the apples into 1/4" cubes, then squeeze a little lemon juice over the diced apples to prevent browning.  Toss the apples with 2 tbsp flour. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the remaining flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and allspice then set aside.

In a stand mixer, whisk the eggs and sugar until light and fluffy, about 5 mins. Add sour cream, butter, almond extract and vanillle extract. Whisk to combine.

With the mixer on low speed, add half of the flour mixture to the egg mixture. Once combined, add the remaining flour mixture to combine.

Add chopped almond and the diced apples to the mixture and stir with a spatula until they are integrated.

Pour the cake mixture into the prepared cake pan, sprinkle the top of the cake with the almond slices. Bake for 50 mins or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Remove the cake from the oven, let cool for 30 mins before serving.

28 comments:

singerinkitchen said...

This looks so delicious! nice picture!

Unknown said...

i want this! i just bought 2 pounds of almonds. im excited!

pTsaldari said...

Gosh! I love this one! I'm so happy you sent it to me Noelle. Looks easy, looks great. What more could I ask for?
Take care, PT
visit me at http://ptsaldari.posterous.com

Natalie said...

Very lovely! I love the almonds on top, they add such a nice crunch, I wish I could dig in!

MaryMoh said...

Wonderful to know you broke your smoking habit. Love this cake. A slice with tea would make my day :D

Divina Pe said...

Apples and almonds are a match in heaven. Congratulations on breaking that habit. :D

KennyT said...

FL, how did you quit smoking? I'd like to quit.

Perhaps if you ship me that apple almond coffee cake, I'll quit immediately, haha.

penny aka jeroxie said...

wahh... such a nice cake. I wish I could have a large slice now.

Karine said...

That is an amazing cake!

Smoking is so glad for everyone's health. That is a good thing you were able to quit :)

Drick said...

beautiful cake and the combination is as well - would love a piece with my morning coffee

Tasty Trix said...

Congrats for quitting! I quit 4 years ago, after smoking for 15 years. Its SO hard!! Hey - quitting saved our tastebuds, so now we can enjoy this nice cake!

ann low said...

I love anything with apple. This looks so delicious.

Tasty Eats At Home said...

Congrats on being 5 years smoke free. I quit about 5 years ago too. It makes such a difference in your health. That, and here in the States, cigarettes are so expensive! This cake looks gorgeous, and sounds so delicious!

Angie's Recipes said...

The coffee cake made with sour cream and nuts sounds just wonderful.

Fearless Kitchen said...

The cake looks delicious! I love apple and I love almond so this is just perfect for me.

CheapAppetite said...

congratulations on your 5 year success as a non-smoker. Hope it keeps on going:) The apple almond coffee cake looks delicious. so many flavor to enjoy in one bite. YUM!

Unknown said...

The flavors here are wonderful and comforting. This would be amazing with a cup of tea. Gorgeous!
*kisses* HH

bonnie said...

Lovely pic, the cake look delish!!
Good for you that you quit smoking!!

My Little Space said...

HHmmm..mm... yumm... the cake looks so tempting! You're such a hard working mom. You baked whenever you could eventhough you're busy.

Unknown said...

YUM! this cake looks amazing!

Anonymous said...

So glad you were able to quit your smoking life. That appple almond coffee cake sure is a good way to celebrate. ;-)

Paz

Sook said...

Mmmm this sounds and looks amazing!

Kana said...

It is great that you were able to quit smoking :) Nice combination of apple and almonds.

Renata said...

The combination is nothing but delicious!!!

Anonymous said...

Yum, this is such a delicious cake with apple & almonds!

Bergamot said...

Looks delicious. The almonds topped on the cake make it look really tempting.

Patty said...

Lululu! Your cake is out of this world! How delicious and beautiful. I think I'll make this for my daughter's snack next week. Thank you for sharing. And yes! Smoking is terrible!

Panda said...

nice picture!