Caramel Apple Cinnamon Cake

Confession: I made this cake back in September using apples from my Nana's apple tree. Despite the fact that apples might have gone out of season, these will still be delicious with Granny Smith's from the the supermarket!

This recipe is ridiculously simple- basically throw everything into the mixer, waiting to add the apples at the end! The only tedious part (for me!) was peeling the apples, but that was more my lackof patience! Browning the apples makes the cake moist, so is definitely worth the step! 

The cinnamon gives the cake a hearty colour and to your kitchen, an amazing aroma!

I saw this recipe on The Baker Chick using a cream cheese frosting, which I'm not a fan of! So I took the sweeter, easier option, and coated this beauty with dulce de leche straight out of the can! (There's no butter in this, so don't feel too guilty!) The recipe is Martha Stewart's originally, so you know this one will be good! Give it a whirl, and let me know what you think! 

You will need:
1 1/3 cup vegetable oil
3 cups cream flour
1 tablespoon cinnamon *yes, TABLEspoon!*
1 tsp baking soda
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
3-4 apples, peeled, chopped and cored
1 can dulce de leche (if you don't have any, place a can of condensed milk in simmering water for 3-4hours)

1. Pre-heat your oven to 180 degrees Celcius.
2. Grease a 9x9 inch oven dish (think lasagne dish).
3. In a large frying pan, melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Add 1 tablespoon table sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon. Add your apple pieces and cook for 3-5 minutes to caramelise the apples and soften slightly.
4. Mix oil, sugar, vanilla and eggs on a medium speed in mixer.
5. Add dry ingredients gradually, mix until incorporated. 
6. Fold in the apples (don't mix as this will break them!)
7. Pour batter into dish.
8. Bake for about an hour, or until a skewer inserted comes out clean.
9. Allow to cool in the pan.
10. Spread dulce de leche onto cake and serve (with ice-cream!)
11. Enjoy

I hope you like this cake as much as my family and friends did!! Stay tuned for more scrumptious cinnamon recipes tomorrow!

Stay sweet! x

Weekend Winter Warmers

Major apologies due for my hiatus! I started working in November so my spare time decreased significantly! Nevertheless, this being my 100th post I wanted to share with you something special!

Now that my favourite time of year is upon us, I'm here to bring you the best of Winter baking! This weekend I'll be sharing some apple and cinnamon recipes to ease you into the festive season. They're easy, yummy, and perfect for an evening in front of the fire, safe from the roaring winds outside!

From Monday onwards, I'll be posting some Christmas baking ideas- perfect for gifts, so you'll have them in time for December 25th! 

But first, here's my new Advent Calendar! My mum brought it back from a trip to Boston two weeks ago. The Lindt store there sold these felt wall-hanging calendars with bags for Pick'N'Mix! Each pocket holds a different flavour (if you wish!) So far I've had chocolate (red), white chocolate (gold), vanilla white chocolate (purple) and cocoa nibs white chocolate (light blue). A perfect gift for a chocoholic!

Here are the links to an indulgent Caramel Apple Cinnamon Cake, a hearty Apple Cinnamon Roll Pudding and of course the iconic Apple Cinnamon Roll!

Stay tuned and as always, stay sweet! x