Menu Monday #2

Ok....so this week I promised to post a REAL recipe. Not that PB&J isn't a "real" meal (we are PB&J lovers here at the PB&J blog!), but I wanted to supply you with a wonderful "Fall" dessert recipe. I made this last week for our singles' Care Group, and it got rave reviews (unless they were all just being nice). So, grab a glass of cider and serve up a piece of this cake. What can I say...Autumn is on its way!!

APPLE CRUMB CAKE

Crumb Topping:
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup graham cracker crumbs (= 2 whole graham crackers)
1/4 cup packed light-brown sugar
5 Tbsp plus 1 tsp stick butter, softened

Cake:
1 1/2 sticks butter, softened
1 1/4 cups packed light-brown sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp each baking powder and baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
3 large eggs
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups reduced-fat sour cream, at room temperature
3 large Golden Delicious apples, peeled, halved, cored and very thinly sliced (about 4 cups worth)
Garnish: confectioners' sugar

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 13x9x2 inch baking pan with nonstick foil, letting the foil extend 2 inches above ends of pan.
2. TOPPING: Mix flour, cracker crumbs and sugar in a medium bowl. Add butter and rub in with fingertips until large crumbs form.
3. CAKE: In a large bowl with mixer on low speed, beat butter, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda and salt 3 minutes (or until creamy). Beat in eggs one at a time until blended. With mixer on low speed, add flour alternately with sour cream, beginning and ending with flour and beating just until smooth.
4. Spoon 1/2 into prepared pan; spread evenly. Cover with 1/2 the apples, the remaining batter, then remaining apples. Crumble topping over apples.
5. Bake 45 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack 10-15 minutes. Holding foil ends, lift cake from pan to rack to cool. Dust with confectioners' sugar. Cut in squares with a serrated knife and serve warm, or cool before cutting.


*The Hustons recommend serving it warm along with Safeway's own brand of Safeway Select Cinnamon Caramel Cashew Ice Cream. YUMMMMMMMMMMMY!