Apple butter is a delectable fruit spread or preserve made from slowly simmered apples, spices, and sugar. This old-fashioned treat has been a staple in American kitchens for generations and continues to be enjoyed for its rich, complex flavor and versatility. Whether spread on toast, paired with pancakes or waffles, or used as a flavorful addition to baked goods, apple butter is a culinary delight that can add a touch of sweetness and nostalgia to any meal or snack.
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OLD-FASHIONED STACK CAKE WITH APPALACHIAN APPLE BUTTER FILLING
I found this old-fashion stack cake recipe in my local newspaper. I immediately thought of our stack cake queen, Bea Liles. I haven't made this yet but I hope someone will and give it a review. Altho this recipe calls for dried apples, I see no reason why you couldn't use fresh, and your own recipe for apple butter. Enjoy! This...
Provided by Dee Stillwell
Categories Cakes
Time 40m
Number Of Ingredients 20
Steps:
- 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 6 (9-inch) cake pans with nonstick cooking spray. Line bottoms of pans with parchment paper, and spray parchment paper with cooking spray.
- 2. In a medium bowl, beat shortening and sugar at medium speed with a mixer until creamy. Add buttermilk, molasses, egg and vanilla, beating well. In a large bowl, combine flour, ginger, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Make a well in center of flour mixture. Add shortening mixture, stirring just until combined.
- 3. On a lightly floured surface, form dough into a log; cut into six equal portions. Place one portion in each prepared pan, and use fingers to lightly pat dough to edges of pans. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from pans and cool completely on wire racks. Cake will have the consistency of a gingerbread cookie.
- 4. Cook time: Depends on how big you want your stack. This recipe makes one 9-inch cake with six stacks. Three stacks were baked simultaneously for 10 to 12 minutes The filling (recipe below) takes about an hour. Allow 24 hours for the cake to chill in the refrigerator.
- 5. Make filling: In large saucepan, combine dried fruit and all dry ingredients. Add enough liquid to cover. Bring to a low boil and cook, stirring often, for 45 minutes. Remove from heat, and let stand for 10 minutes or until cooled slightly. Transfer to the work bowl of a food processor or container of a blender; process until smooth. Use while still warm.
- 6. To put cake together, place one cake layer on a serving plate or cake stand; spread with about 3/4 cup warm fruit butter filling. Repeat procedure with remaining layers and fruit butter filling, stacking each on previous layer. Do not spread fruit butter filling on top layer. Cover and refrigerate cake for at least 24 hours. Just before serving, dust with confectioners' sugar.
OLD FASHIONED APPLE BUTTER STACK CAKE
I found my recipe for this cake to use with apple butter. It also uses sorghum, which you can replace with molasses or brown sugar, or even dark corn syrup, if you can't find sorghum. But give sorghum a try - the taste is different from any other sweetener, and worth looking for. You may want to start this cake the day before -...
Provided by Susan Feliciano
Categories Fruit Desserts
Time 40m
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- 1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease or spray with oil several 8-inch cake pans, skillets, etc.
- 2. FOR CAKE: Mix first four ingredients. Stir flour together with baking powder, soda, salt, and nutmeg. Stir vanilla into milk. Add flour and milk to liquid ingredients, blending well. Turn out on floured surface and knead like a biscuit dough.
- 3. Divide dough into 7 portions. Roll out on wax paper to fit greased 8-inch cake pans. You may have to bake in batches. Bake until done and very lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Layers do not need to cool before assembling.
- 4. FILLING: Stir together apple butter and brown sugar in a medium saucepan over medium high heat. Bring just to boiling. Remove from heat and stir in the butter until it melts completely.
- 5. Place first cake layer on cake plate that has a cover. Spread hot filling between cake layers, stacking 7 high. Smooth some filling over top of stack and let drip slightly down sides. Cover and allow to set 12 hours before serving. May sprinkle with powdered sugar just before serving if desired. Or, top of stack may be decorated with little red hot cinnamon candies.
- 6. NOTE: Layers may be frozen with wax paper in between, and filled later.
Tips:
- Choose the right apples: Use a variety of apples that are good for applesauce, such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Pink Lady. These apples have a good balance of sweetness and tartness.
- Peel and core the apples: This is an important step to remove the skin and seeds from the apples. You can use a vegetable peeler and a corer to make this task easier.
- Cook the apples until they are very soft: This will help to release their natural pectin, which will thicken the apple butter.
- Add spices and sugar to taste: You can use a variety of spices to flavor your apple butter, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. You can also add sugar to taste, depending on how sweet you like your apple butter.
- Cook the apple butter until it is thick and spreadable: This can take several hours, so be patient. You can test the consistency of the apple butter by dropping a small amount onto a cold plate. If it holds its shape, it is ready.
Conclusion:
Apple butter is a delicious and versatile spread that can be enjoyed on toast, crackers, or muffins. It can also be used as a filling for pies and tarts. With a little time and effort, you can easily make your own apple butter at home. So next time you have a few extra apples on hand, give this recipe a try!
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