I'm Back!!! Cinnamon Bun Apple Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

So I have been out of commision a long time! I gave up baking for awhile as I seriously needed to cut back on all the sweets! However the baking bug has bitten me again in the form of my new favorite blog the Smitten Kitchen. Seriously check this blog out- its awesome. Deb is the greatest foodie- her witty stories along with her recipes make all her posts endearing and her amazing pictures make me want to bake pretty much everything on the site!

HOwever in this post I am finally posting a cake from the best cookbook of ALL TIME. This is the Magnolia Bakery cookbook. GO out and buy it right now because it is phenomenal. So far everything I have made from it is of course the very greatest thing of all time. For example the cake I am posting about right now: Apple Cake with Butterscotch Cream CHeese Frosting. Now I made my adaptations to this such as I added cinnamon and I used regular cream cheese frosting as I don't really like butterscotch. However my friend Erica and I were talking last night and thought it would be really yummy with Caramel Cream Cheese frosting.

I first made this cake for my younger brother's graduation- I was surprised he chose this cake but I am really happy that he did. I had never made a cake with fruit before and it was a really good choice. So on Sunday, when my friend Bryana came in and asked me to bake for her, I ran to Food Emporium in a down pour to get apples for this recipe!

It tastes like the most delicious cinnamon bun ever because it is rich and creamy and the apples and cinnamon are an amazing touch. When I made it on Sunday, I topped it with chopped Walnuts- such a good call- it added another taste and texture to the cake and looked nice too- especially considering we were ina hurry to eat it and the layers had not completely cooled- this resulted in the frosting slightly melting into the cake- it still tasted wonderful but it did not look so great hahaha.

So go make this cake! I know its bikini season- trust me I have some good healthy recipes a-coming to help this! But its always ok for a splurge and this is the perfect summer party cake!

Also check out Smitten Kitchen!! http://smittenkitchen.com/

XO

SG

Cookie Corner: Layer Red Velvet Cake

I love Red Velvet Cake. It is my weakness! Ever since my first cupcake at Magnolia Bakery I have been in love. I prefer Crumbs to Magnolia because their cupcakes were more moist but they are also a but more indulgent due to the size! However the best Red Velvet Cakes and cupcakes can be easily made at home!!! This week, on a baking binge, I made a layer red velvet cake- and it was a huge hit in the house! This cake is best with homemade cream cheese frosting!
Frosting Ingredients:

• 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
• 2 1/4 to 2 1/2cups sifted powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cake Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2 1/2 cups sugar
• 6 large eggs
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 (8-ounce) container sour cream
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 (1-ounce) bottles red food coloring

Beat Cream cheese and butter, gradually adding sugar as mixture becomes smooth and then add vanilla

Beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until blended after each addition.

Stir together flour, cocoa, and baking soda. Add to butter mixture alternately with sour cream, beating at low speed just until blended, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Stir in vanilla; stir in red food coloring. Use batter immediately, following baking directions for desired cake in 2 or 3 came pans depending on how many layers you want on 325 for 25 to 30 min!

Let cool frost each layer, gently and carefully place each layer on top of the other and frost the whole cake over!!

To make a Crumbs esque cupcake save crumbs from the cake pan or that might come off when you transfer from the oan and layer, and sprinkle on top of the cake!

Enjoy!

xo

SG