Dandelions + Apple Pudding Cake

What is a sure sign of Spring here in Calgary?  DANDELIONS... in a random glass, picked by my crew on one of our daily walks.  Each day, we add new ones.  They are always searching for the ones with the long stems as those ones are "the best".  Don't try to convince a bunch of littles that dandelions are weeds, they have very strong opinions about them.  Reegs insists that they are called "Dandy Flowers" or "Dandy Lion Flowers".  I also have a sweet niece who, when she was two,  used to roar like a lion when she picked each one.  Who an really blame them for their fascination?  They are the only type of flower that they can pick without getting into trouble.

The best flower arrangement ever!

Snuggles in new Pajamas from Grandma Villeneuve

Cheesy Smile

Another Cheesy Smile!

Half of a Cheesy Smile!

Thanks for the new jammies Grandma!

Don't you just love those desserts that can be made from a few simple pantry ingredients and fridge staples?  This super yummy Apple Pudding Cake with Cinnamon-Butter Sauce was found in Betty Crocker’s Holiday Baking Magazine (Volume 20, Number 2) and is one of those good enough for company recipes for any chilly evening (Winter or Summer) in Canada.

It's has a chewy yet very moist texture.  The sauce adds that extra special layer of flavour.  I made mine in a Bundt pan and it looked pretty 'fancy' for our special lunch with my niece K and nephew M.  All the 'under 6 year olds' gobbled it up and us mommies liked it too!  I didn't even get a picture...  it is that good!

Cake
1 cup packed brown sugar
½ cup butter, softened
1 egg
1 cup flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
½  tsp nutmeg
1/ tsp salt
2 cups chopped apples (or 1 cup apples, 1 cup raisins)

Sauce
1/3 cup butter
2/3 cup sugar
½ cup half-and-half or whole milk
½ tsp cinnamon

Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease an 8 inch cake pan.  In large bowl, mix brown sugar and ¼ cup butter until fluffy.  Beat in egg.  Stir in flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.  Stir in apples/raisins.  Spread batter in pan.  Bake 25 to 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
Meanwhile, in small saucepan, heat all sauce ingredients over medium heat, stirring frequently, until butter is melted and sauce is hot.  Serve warm sauce over warm cake.



Love,
Twin B
xoxoxox