In yesterday's mail, I received the sweetest swap gifts from my Christmas swap partner, Paula, of Paula's Crafty Boutique. Paula went all out on her crafts, and the things she sent are so sweet.
First, there was a mug rug. I just love the fabrics she used in this. Aren't the heart-shaped paw prints cute?
Here's the back. Isn't it just the cat's meow?
Then there was this thread catcher with paper-pieced Christmas figures all around.
And finally, these little gifts: stick pins, paw print ribbon and a little cat figure. So sweet.
I think Paula figured out that I like cats! Thank you, Paula, for being such a generous and talented swap partner.
Then, today I posted these images in the gallery for my Quilt University class (which reminds me that I need to check for feedback). I'm off to a good start on my first hand-quilting adventure. Here's the front:
And here's the back:
My stitches aren't tiny, by any means. But they're pretty even. I'm happy about that. It won't win any prizes, but it's not too bad.
That's all the sewing I had time for today. Tomorrow is busy too, but I'm still hoping to get a little bit done.
This is sure to be one of the saddest stories you'll ever read. Yesterday I decided to get a head start on Baking on Friday since I'm walking with Sue that day, and then I have to see my best friend, the dentist I set about making the most beautiful Bundt cake from the latest issue of Martha Stewart Living. I'd link to the recipe, but I can't find it on the website. Maybe it's too soon for them to publish it? I can't
'splain it.
So I had the cake all baked. It had been sitting for the requisite ten minutes cooling in the pan on a rack. Then, I went to flip it out of the pan and onto the rack to cool before glazing it when disaster struck! The pan slipped out of my hands and into the sink it went.
I could have cried. But I didn't. I scooped up what wasn't touching the sink and piled it on the counter top.
Woe is me. Well. It still tasted good. I spent nearly two hours making it, however, and so I was not happy about this turn of events. (Pun intended.) I'll try it again, but another time. Sigh. I promise you it tastes good, and I'm passing the recipe along despite how terrible it turned out. (Pun intended.) This would be good for dessert or even as a coffee cake for breakfast or brunch. In fact, that's what I intended for it. I was going to eat it for breakfast. This morning I'm on a hunger strike to protest my own clumsiness. (That'll teach me.)
Apple-Walnut Bundt Cake
Servings: 10 Preparation Time :0:40
FOR THE CARAMELIZED APPLES:
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon water
3 tart green apples, such as Granny Smith -- cored, peeled, and cut into 1-inch chunks
FOR THE CAKE:
2 sticks unsalted butter -- room temperature, plus more for pan
3 cups all-purpose flour -- plus more for pan
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
Coarse salt
1 3/4 cups packed light brown sugar
3 large eggs
1/2 cup whole milk
3/4 cup chopped toasted walnuts
FOR THE GLAZE:
1 1/2 cups confectioner's sugar
3 tablespoons apple cider
Make the caramelized apples: Cook granulated sugar and water in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, without stirring, until sugar caramelizes, about 4 minutes. Reduce heat to low. Stir in apples. Cook, covered, until softened, about 6 minutes. Slightly mash apples with a fork until broken down but still chunky. Continue to cook, uncovered, stirring, until liquid evaporates, about 5 minutes. Let cool completely.
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Make the cake: Butter a 10-inch Bundt pan. Dust with flour, tapping out excess. Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and 1 teaspoon salt into a medium bowl.
Beat butter and brown sugar with a mixer on high speed until pale and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time. Reduce speed to low, and add flour mixture in three additions, alternating with milk, beginning and ending with flour. Mix in caramelized apples and the walnuts.
Transfer batter to pan. Bake until cake is deep golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 50 minutes. Let cake cool in pan set on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Turn out cake onto rack, and let cool completely.
Once cake is cool, make the glaze: Whisk together confectioners' sugar and cider. Drizzle over top of cake, letting it drip down the sides.
STORAGE: Glazed cake can be stored at room temperature for up to three days.
My notes about the recipe: I made two swipes at caramelizing the sugar for the apples. It sounds scary when you read the directions. I was expecting to cook a carbon mess onto my saucepan. When the sugar started taking on the texture of rock candy, I aborted the whole process. Too soon, as I would find out. I did an internet search and found a video that was very helpful in giving me the gonads to venture forth on this. I'm sharing it with you here so you can do it in one swipe. This video is courtesy of folchc.
What I would say about this is that the recipe has you add a tablespoon of water to the sugar, whereas this video caramelizes the sugar dry. Mine took a little longer I think because the water has to evaporate out of the sugar first. It then turns a chalky white and looks quite solid (in fact, it seems cooked to the pan) before it starts to turn brown and melt. Keep your fairly heat low. Don't stir it. Be patient. It will happen, I promise.
Also, I used the baking spray rather than buttering and flouring my pan. Obviously, it came out of the pan with gusto!
Sorry I don't have a pretty picture to show you, but it tasted really good. It was moist and delicious. When I make it again, I'll post a picture to show you.
