Years ago, Canadians were walking through the forest and they saw a tree with disgusting brown goo dripping out of it and they said:
“There is disgusting brown goo dripping out of that tree, let’s eat it! And let’s make other people eat it!
We’ll make our fortune selling disgusting brown goo to people!”
Gilbert Gottfried, Comedian
Daffodils and baseball returned to Northeast Ohio, welcome confirmation that springtime is fully underway. There are many sweet signs that winter is melting into spring, but none sweeter than the annual maple harvest. Ohio ranks in the top half of the dozen states who produce American maple syrup.
While our Buckeyes did not enjoy a long March Madness, at least Ohio’s 2021 March Maple Madness Tour proved successful! For those who missed it, excellent Northeast Ohio maple products are available from Ravine’s Edge Maple Farm, both on-line and at Medina’s award-winning, historic Farmers Exchange Market.
Looking for a delectable dessert for First Communions, graduations, Mother’s Day or any other joyous springtime celebration? This cake is traditionally served in France, but we’ve added a bit of North American flair to kick this party option up a notch. Enjoy!
French Canadian Apple Cake
- Slice 4 -5 peeled apples into wedges (roughly 8 wedges per apple);
- Microwave apples (or sauté) until soft, about 3 minutes;
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees and lightly oil a 9 inch cake pan;
- Whisk 1 cup of all purpose flour with a 1/2 cup of maple sugar and a 1/2 cup of granulated sugar;
- Add 2 teaspoons baking powder and a 1/2 teaspoon salt, whisk together;
- In separate bowl, whisk 1 cup vegetable oil, 1 cup whole milk and 1 egg together;
- Combine wet and dry ingredients and whisk until just combined;
- Transfer 1 cup of the batter to separate bowl and set aside;
- Fold softened apples into the remaining batter, transfer to cake pan;
- Add 2 egg yolks to the 1 cup of set-aside batter and whisk;
- Gently whisk 2 tablespoons of all purpose flour into the reserved batter;
- Gently spread reserved batter over the top of the batter in the pan;
- Sprinkle the top of the batter with a light dusting of maple sugar;
- Bake for 1 hour 15 minutes (check to make sure a toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean);
- Let cool for 3 hours before slicing.
- Note: regular granulated sugar may be used in place of maple sugar. If substituting regular sugar, add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract when mixing wet ingredients.
French Canadian Apple Cake