Autumn Dessert Recipes

Apple Danish, Cinnamon Apple Coffee Cake and Apple Spice Bars

© Theresa Bledsoe

Sep 24, 2009

Nothing says "Autumn" like the aroma of apple and spice desserts baking in the oven. The following three recipes taste as great as they smell.

Apple Danish

Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup shortening
• 1 egg yolk
• 1/2 cup milk
• 6 cups sliced peeled apples
• 1-1/2 cups sugar
• 1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
• 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 egg white, lightly beaten
• 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
• 2 or 3 teaspoons water

Directions:

1. In a mixing bowl, combine flour and salt; cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
2. Combine egg yolk and milk; add to flour mixture.
3. Stir just until dough clings together.
4. Divide dough in half. On a lightly floured surface, roll half of dough into a 15 x 10 inch rectangle. Transfer to an appropriately sized baking pan. Set aside.
5. In a bowl, toss together the apples, 1-1/2 cups sugar, butter, 2 Tablespoons flour and cinnamon. Spoon over the pastry in pan.
6. Roll out remaining dow to form another 15 x 10 inch rectangle. Place over filling.
7. Brush edges with egg white.
8. Bake at 375 degrees for 40 minutes or until golden brown. Cool.
9. Combine the 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar and enough water to achieve a drizzling consistency.
10. Drizzle over warm pastry. Cut into squares. Serve warm or cold.

Yields approximately 20 servings.

Cinnamon Apple Coffee Cake

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup grated fresh apple (about 1/2 apple)
• 1/2 cup quick oats
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 egg whites
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 cup natural applesauce (no sugar added)
• 3 Tablespoons vegetable oil
• 4 Tablespoons skim milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 4 cup, oven-proof ring mold, bundt pan or 8 inch square pan with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the grated apple, oats and brown sugar. Stir to blend. Spoon ingredients evenly into bottom of the prepared pan. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon. Stir until the cinnamon is evenly mixed.
4. In the medium bowl used to make the topping, combine the egg whites, 1/2 cup brown sugar, applesauce, oil, milk and vanilla. Stir to blend.
5. Stir applesauce mixture into the flour mixture until blended. Do not overbeat.
6. Pour batter over the grated apple topping.
7. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the surface of the cake is firm to the touch when pressed. Cool for 10 minutes, then unmold onto serving platter. If desired, sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Applesauce-Spice Bars

Ingredients:

• 1 cup flour
• 2/3 cup brown sugar (packed)
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1 cup applesauce
• 1/4 cup shortening
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup raisins
• Browned Butter Icing (below)

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 13x9 inch baking pan.
2. Thoroughly mix all ingredients except icing.
3. Spread in pan and bake about 25 minutes.
4. Cool and frost and cut.

Brown Butter Icing

• 5 Tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 or 3 Tablespoons milk

Directions:

1. Heat butter in a saucepan over medium heat until melted. continue cooking, stirring constantly, just until better begins to turn a golden brown, about 5 minutes. Immediately remove from heat and allow to cool.
2. Sift confectioners' sugar into a mixing bowl. When the butter is completely cooled, add to the confectioners' sugar along with the vanilla and 1 Tablespoon of milk.
3. Slowly beat to blend, adding 1 to 2 Tablespoons of milk for desired spreading consistency.

Browned Butter Frosting also works well with apple cakes and a variety of cookies. Use it to give autumn desserts an added flair.

Autumn Apples

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