Baking Adventure Week 1

While editing the latest edition of the Hayes Family Cookbook (HFC), I decided there are too many dessert recipes in the cookbook that our family has never tried, and I vowed to rectify that during 2011. My goal is to prepare a minimum of one dessert recipe a week and rate the recipes for future reference. Inspired by the movie Julie Julia I decided to chronicle this adventure on a blog and invite family members, and other interested parties, to follow this journey.

Today, the baking adventure begins. It has been decided to map out the month’s recipes, attach a pdf of the recipe to this blog, include a photo of the final product on the blog, and of course note the family’s final rating. Since one of my other goals for 2011 is to continue to watch my weight, each recipe will be cut in half whenever possible. It is understood this could affect final results and appropriate notations will be made in my evaluation of the recipe.

Consistent raters will include hubby Tom (my faithful husband and dishwasher), Lynsey (lovely daughter and self proclaimed procrastibaker), Jason (newest addition to the family and accomplished cook), and myself. Occasional raters will include Nathan (our fine son and biweekly dinner guest) and Laurie (Tom’s sister and another biweekly dinner guest). So here we go!

Barb’s Roman Apple Cake ☆☆☆☆☆ [pg 99 HFC]

Occasionally, we have one apple that seems to be left in the fruit bowl, as if no one wants to take the last one. This recipe is simple to throw together, as all the ingredients are staples in a baker’s kitchen, and about six people can share that one apple. (That is assuming you make ½ the recipe as I did.)

In lieu of the 13 x 9 pan I used this heart shaped pan. I imagine one 8" or 9" round cake pan will also work. The heart shaped pans have been around the house for some time and this seemed a good reason to use one; start the year with some "love" baking.

It is recommended this cake be served warm with ice cream or whipped cream, but I chose to taste the warm cake without these toppings. My first reaction is that this is a cake to be served with coffee, making it a coffee cake, I guess. It is fairly rich as the amount of cake is about equal to the amount of apple and topping. I give it five stars out of five and determine it well worth making again, particularly if we have company for breakfast. (I am thinking morning after the wedding. k) Tom says "... served with ice cream it is a total five."