I just wanted to vent here. So, I have a brother, J, and he's cool, but only recently have we been having a good relationship and not constantly bickering. And I have this friend, E, the thing is, J and E really like each other but J's kinda a jerk and doesn't want to commit or only until when he leaves for college in the fall. But E, is in 9th grade, so theres quite an age gap. And even though E said she wouldn't date him, I am not so sure of that. Recently, it was J's birthday and I baked him a cake as I always do, but E baked him a cake as well. And now I've worked myself into this paranoid state of wondering if he'll like it better than mine, or if E really does know my brother better than I do, I wish for once I wasn't the last person to the cake, pun not intended. I wouldn't be so paranoid if hers wasn't much more elaborate and I only made a single layer cake with no frosting (he hates frosting), but what if it would've been better to make a triple layer cake so at least he knew I wanted to put time into it. What should I do? Isn't this a gorgeous cake?
At least I know that he doesn't like sugary, chocolate cake, especially with frosting. I made an Apple Up-Side Down cake. I don't have a picture of it though. I know he hates chocolate because my aunt made it once for a combined uncle and bro birthday(they are a couple of days apart) and he really didn't like it. I just don't want my jealousy over her relationship with my brother and boys in general to sabotage the otherwise great relationship I have with her. But end of story. Now I suggest you get out there and make yourselves some delicious cake.
Apple Up-Side Down Cake
(Cooks Illustrated owns this recipe)
INGREDIENTS
TOPPING
4tablespoons (½ stick) unsalted butter, cut into 4 pieces, plus extra for pan
4Granny Smith apples or Golden Delicious (about 2 pounds), peeled and cored
⅔cup packed light brown sugar (4 ⅔ ounces)
2teaspoons juice from 1 lemon
CAKE
1cup unbleached all-purpose flour (5 ounces)
1tablespoon cornmeal (optional)
1teaspoon baking powder
½teaspoon table salt
¾cup granulated sugar (5 ¼ ounces)
¼cup packed light brown sugar (1 ¾ ounces)
2large eggs
6tablespoons (¾ stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
½cup sour cream
1teaspoon vanilla extract
1. FOR THE TOPPING: Butter bottom and sides of 9-inch round, 2-inch-deep nonstick cake pan; set aside. Adjust oven rack to lowest position and heat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Halve apples from pole to pole. Cut 2 apples into 1/4-inch-thick slices; set aside. Cut remaining 2 apples into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Heat butter in 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. When foaming subsides, add 1/2-inch-thick apple slices and cook, stirring 2 or 3 times, until apples begin to caramelize, 4 to 6 minutes. (Do not fully cook apples.) Add 1/4-inch-thick apple slices, brown sugar, and lemon juice; continue cooking, stirring constantly, until sugar dissolves and apples are coated, about 1 minute longer. Transfer apple mixture to prepared pan and lightly press into even layer. Set aside while preparing cake.
3. FOR THE CAKE: Whisk flour, cornmeal (if using), baking powder, and salt together in medium bowl; set aside. Whisk granulated sugar, brown sugar, and eggs together in large bowl until thick and homogeneous, about 45 seconds. Slowly whisk in butter until combined. Add sour cream and vanilla; whisk until combined. Add flour mixture and whisk until just combined. Pour batter into pan and spread evenly over fruit. Bake until cake is golden brown and toothpick inserted into center comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes.
4. Cool pan on wire rack 20 minutes. Run paring knife around sides of cake to loosen. Place wire rack over cake pan. Holding rack tightly, invert cake pan and wire rack together; lift off cake pan. Place wire rack over baking sheet or large plate to catch any drips. If any fruit sticks to pan bottom, remove and position it on top of cake. Let cake cool 20 minutes (or longer to cool it completely), then transfer to serving platter, cut into pieces, and serve.
