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Oh, oh! It’s still apple season. If I remember correctly, when I did apple columns a few weeks ago I didn’t include recipes using applesauce. I did make applesauce but not the amount I usually make. I only went to an apple orchard once to buy a few of my favorites just for eating. I had bought some really red skinned apples at the grocery store. Not Red Delicious but I think it was Cortland; a softer red skinned apple that would make a good applesauce. This may sound putzy but I peeled them and put the red peelings in a saucepan, added water just to cover and simmered them for about 10 minutes and the water was pink in color. I strained it, saving the liquid. While cooking the apples, I used the pink water for some of the water added to the cooking apples. Results? A light pink color in this batch of chunky applesauce.

It’s not too late to make applesauce and obviously you know what recipes are about this week.

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APPLESAUCE CAKE WITH CARAMEL FROSTING
2-1/2 c. flour
2 t. cinnamon
1-1/2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. baking soda
1/4 t. salt
1-1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. butter or margarine, at room temperature
1 large egg
1 large egg white
1/2 c. unsweetened applesauce
1/2 c. raisins or currants
1/2 c. chopped pecans or walnuts
Caramel frosting (recipe follows)

In a medium size bowl, combine the first 5 ingredients, mixing well. In a large bowl, with an electric mixer, on medium speed, cream sugar and butter until fluffy, scraping sides of bowl often. Add the egg and beat well.  Add the egg white and beat well. Using a wooden spoon, stir in one-third of the flour mixture, then half of the applesauce. Repeat, then stir in remaining flour mixture. Stir in raisins.
Spread evenly into a lightly greased and lightly floured  9x13-inch baking pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Put pan on a wire rack.  Cool completely. When cake has cooled, make caramel frosting.  Using an icing spatula or dinner knife, work quickly to frost cake.  Makes 15-20 servings.

CARAMEL FROSTING
¼ c. packed brown sugar
1/2 c. 1% or 2% milk
2 T. butter or margarine
3 c. powdered sugar

In a medium saucepan, combine first 3 ingredients; mixing well. Cook over moderate heat, whisking constantly until mixture comes to a boil. Cook for 2 minutes, whisking constantly. Remove from heat. Transfer to a large bowl; let stand for 1 hour or until mixture cools to room temperature. With an electric mixture on medium speed, gradually add powdered sugar, beating until frosting is smooth and of spreading consistency. Spread frosting on cake immediately.  Makes about 1-1/2 cups or enough to frost a 9x13-in. cake.  Note:  This frosting can be used on any cake, such as spice cake, carrot cake gingerbread cake or chocolate cake.

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APPLESAUCE BREAD
1 c. packed brown sugar
1/2 c. butter or margarine, softened
1 egg
1  t. vanilla
1 c. chunky applesauce
2 c. flour
1 t. each, salt, baking soda and cinnamon
1/2 c. cloves
1 c. raisins
1/2 c. chopped walnuts

In a large mixing bowl, beat brown sugar and butter on high speed 2-3 minutes. Beat in next 3 ingredients.  Stir in next  5 ingredients, mixing well. Stir in raisins and nuts.

Turn batter into a greased (bottom only) 9x5-in. baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 60-70 minutes, or until tested with a toothpick. Cool on wire rack for 15 minutes. Loosen sides of pan with a dinner knife before removing from pan and returning to rack. Cool completely before slicing. Actually, it is more flavorful if after it’s cooled to wrap it in plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for a day. It’s also easier to slice. When I serve this bread I like to slather it with soft cream cheese. M-m-m.  Makes 14-16 slices.

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APPLESAUCE SNACK CAKE
1/3 c.  butter or margarine, softened
2 eggs
2/3 c. thawed, unsweetened apple juice concentrate
1/2 c. unsweetened applesauce
2 c. flour
2 t. each, baking powder and cinnamon
1/2 t. baking soda
1/4 t. salt
1 large apple, peeled and diced  (Golden Delicious, McIntosh, Cortland, Jon-A-Mac)

In a medium bowl, beat butter until creamy. Blend in next 3 ingredients. In another bowl, combine all dry ingredients; gradually add to egg mixture, beating until well blended. Stir in apple.

Spread batter into a greased 9-in. square baking pan. Bake at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until tested with a toothpick. Cool on wire rack. Serve warm or cooled.  Makes 9 servings. If you wish, top each piece with a dollop of whipped cream or whipped topping when serving.

Thought for the Day: No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.

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