The Comfort of Apples

Norwegian Apple Cake

1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 eggs, beaten
1 tsp baking powder
3 apples, peeled, cored and cut into slices

Topping: 2 tablespoons sugar, 1 tsp ground cinnamon / sliced or chopped almonds (optional)

Pre-heat oven to 400*F/200*C and butter an 8- or 9-inch round cake pan, set aside.  In a large bowl, beat together the butter and sugar until fluffy.  Add the flour and baking powder.  Then add the egg, mixing the batter well.  Pour this into the prepared cake pan.  Layer the apple slices around the top of the cake in a pretty circular pattern.  Sprinkle cake top with the cinnamon and sugar topping mixture.  And sprinkle over the sliced or chopped almonds, if using.  Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until cake tests done.  Cool cake a bit before cutting and serving.  Delicious served slightly warm with vanilla ice cream, creme fraiche, whipped cream or custard!

This is one of our favorite cakes to make in the autumn... or anytime, really!  A note about the recipe... I have translated the measurements from metric, which we use here, so hope this makes sense. It is very easy  to make, and ideal for a quick treat on the weekends.

My post title is inspired by the great food writer, Ruth Reichl's book, Comfort Me with Apples, a terrific foodie read.   So is her lovely memoir Tender at the Bone.  I see she has a new book, with a very amusing title, Not Becoming My Mother.  I've not read this one yet, but  have it on my list.  Anyone read it yet?  I love food memoirs, cookbooks... anything about life, love and food! The film Julie & Julia has just lately premiered here, but I have yet to see it. Can't wait! 

Hope you all will take time for some comfort food, love and other joys this weekend.  Happy Days, my dear family & friends!   :o)

P.S. Want another cake-fix with no calories?!  Stop by my other place, A Certain Slant of Light, for some carrot cake we had at a very unique restaurant.  Also you will see a new feature in the sidebar there:  Fabulous Photographers and Artists.  This is an ever expanding list of bloggers who inspire with their gift for taking photos and creating a variety of art.

Also if you've not looked around here in a bit, my Beautiful Blogs section in the right sidebar has lately been updated and expanded too--friends and bloggers who inspire me, and who just might inspire you too!

Comments

[Gail]

This looks yummy and easy!...I'm printing it out and will plan on making it this week...Perfect for autumn:) Thank You!

[Heidi]

I love making this cake Tracy. I got the recipe on a Norwegian blog a couple of years ago. It is so simple to make too. Are you going to go to the theater to see Julie & Julia? I never go to theaters but also cannot wait to see it. I am going to have to wait until the DVD is out. There are few movies I ever want to see but this is definitely one of them. I just posted about the results from the hospital on my blog so if you have time stop by to read it. I am sending you an email but will not repeat all that in it. :-)

Hugs ~
Heidi

[tea time and roses]

Hello Dear Tracy,

The apple cake looks delicious.:o) You my friend share some of the most wonderful recipes. I would love to sit down to a slice of that beautiful cake, a cup of tea and a fabulous book. Oh my I must do that sometimes soon.:o)

You are so right about it being a perfect autumn recipe. Think I will try this during the Christmas holidays. Thank you so much for sharing it. You and your Dear Husband enjoy a lovely weekend.

Smiles...

Beverly

[christina]

yummy! this cake looks grand.
i will have to look into these books. they sound like lovely reads.

[raina]

Mmmmm! Now that looks so very good. I think I need to make a trip to my favorite bakery...I know....I should make my own cake, but my house is full of dust right now and I rarely bake dessert so my favorite bakery will have to do. Hope you are doing well. It has been snowing quite a bit here and it is just too early. The trees still have their leaves and now they are all frozen and everything looks kind of icky. Fall lasted about one week and it was over. We went from +25 Celcius to -10 Celcius in a matter of a week...kind of sade really :) I keep thinking about Christmas rather than Halloween.

[Jacqueline]

Dear Tracy, Apple Cake is also one my favorite cake and it's also my fiance's too! Thanks for sharing the receipe with us! It lookkssss sooo delicious and yummie! I would LOVE to try to make this. I hope you're having a good weekend and love to you!

[Marie]

Fabulous cake Tracy! It looks so good! I love Ruth's books! I shall be on the lookout for the new one for sure! I hope to be able to chat later on, but am doubtful as there is a new baby just arrived up at the big house and I am required to cook supper tonight. I might get lucky and not have to do so, but I just wanted to warn you just in case! Love and hugs sweet friend. To Charlie and TJ too!! xxoo

[Melanie]

That looks delicious as well as well presented.

[marie]

This sounds delicious Tracy ~ especially with ice cream!

Marie x

[gillian]

Thanks I'm a food {whore} lover!!! Lol
Thank you for the recipe :)

I'm sooo making this one!!! xoxo

[jeanne]

Hello Tracy, thank you for your visit. I am slow to visit these days because of company almost every day this month and football weekends in Fl. We have season tickets for the Florida Gator games and it leaves me little time for visiting. sigh.

Your apple cake looks delicious. I love anything with apples. I love carrot cake too.
You will LOVE Julie and Julia. It is a totally entertaining movie. My hubby liked it too.

I can't wait to see your painting and wallpapering projects. I am trying to paint the great room but it is slow with all the company we are having. One day...

Have a wonderful week Tracy and do n't work too hard.

Hugs xoxo, Jeanne

[lucy]

i love apple cake and will certainly try this one as I have a bushel of apples at hand! hope your weekend was enjoyable Tracy!

[willow]

I'm popping over from Anali's. Thanks for the recipe!

[Tracy]

Oooh this looks so good!

[Relyn]

Did I ever tell you that I finally made that apple crisp? It was good, but not great. I am still looking for a recipe that is great. I love Ruth Reichl's books and have devoured them all. I am just delighted to learn that she has a new one out.

[Se'Lah]

This looks awfully yummy. Always looking for good recipes and experiencing some of your culture.

Thanks for sharing.

[AsiaJo]

Yummy! This cake sounds simple and delicious:) thanks for sharing his nice recipe! I will try to make it this w-end.

[Chenoa]

oh it looks so delicious!!!
im so sorry for your continued pain...but smiling to hear about your moment of everday nirvana, how lovely!!!

kindest wishes

[elizabeth]

oh! oh! oh! I have been looking for a good apple recipe. I will try this this weekend. Thank you.

My favorite of her books is Garlic and Sapphires (I think that's the title - it's the one where she writes about being a critic and her disguises - I just love it).

[SiSi]

That looks SO yummy Tracy!! :) must give this recipe a try sometime.

[Brook Sellers]

Tracy, I have been ill all week, thought flu, but it is lactose intolerant. In short now no milk products. I was feeling what to eat??? Thank You Thank You, the cake looks fabulous, and no milk, you made my day. Love the black jewelry ,always enjoy my visit with you. I also have another blog,
Posies Pearls and Palette,when you visit Red Chair I am on the side bar. See You Soon, via blog Brook

[Maureen]

Done! But mine turned out darker looking than yours. I can't figure out why but it seemed to take forever for the batter to bake! It was easily over 35 minutes. Perhaps my oven is on the decline too? Hold on, oven, hold on until June!

Even though it was darker, it was well appreciated! I agree that a side-dish of ice cream or other would accompany it perfectly!

[Jean Nelson]

Just to let you know I have tried your cake with every success. thank you
I will keep your page on my favourites in the computer I have already seen Julia and read the book, very good, I ended up donating the book to the local charity shop before I left U.K,. it is good to share.