SEPTEMBER!!!! i am probably most excited for this month then i am any other month. especially because it is no longer signals back to school time for me. instead, i just get to take it all in & enjoy what early fall has to offer: pumpkins, apples, corn mazzes & more pumpkins! i already decorated the house earlier this week for fall. justin claims it was too early but i don't think it is ever too early when it comes to fall. we rock that pumpkin spice soap all year long! next on my list is to decorate the front porch when the real pumpkins start popping up at the farm. i am going all out this year... whymsical white pumpkins galore! we got our rejuvenation x o&g studios rocking chairs the other week so i am ten times more motivated to get the porch ready.

okay, but enough about my fall obsession! let's talk about these little cakelets. i had to kick september off with an apple recipe because apples are starting to pop up at the local farmers market. this recipe is infused with a homemade salted caramel, but you can also go the extra mile and drizzle a little on top too! i grated the apple into the cakes so the cakelets aren't filled with apple chunks. i baked them in the cutest nordic ware "apple slice cakelet pan"! i am just in love with it. the pan is made of cast aluminum & features all different sliced apple designs rather then just the same one. i think kids would love these as a back to school snack! i gave the pan a quick spray & not a single cakelet stuck.

p.s. nordic ware make a pumpkin pan too! i so need that for october when pumpkin takes over my kitchen. it is called the "autumn delights cakelet pan".

happy september friends & enjoy the long weekend:) xo

ingredients

for the salted caramel

1 cup white sugar
1/3 cup water
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 teaspoon sea salt

for the apple cakelets

2 large eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups raw sugar
2 tablespoons salted caramel (see recipe above)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 medium apples, grated
2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
powdered sugar, for serving
salted caramel, for serving

directions

for the salted caramel

in a saucepot add the sugar and water. bring the pan to a boil while wiping down the crystals that form on the sides of the pan using a pastry brush (do not stir, i repeat, do NOT stir).
continue to boil until the mixture turns to a deep amber colour, approximately 5 minutes. be sure not to burn the caramel! it will go from a deep amber to burnt sugar VERY quickly.
remove from heat and immediately whisk in the butter, cream & salt. cool to room temperature before serving.

for the cakelets

preheat oven to 350 degrees.
in a large mixing bowl whisk together the eggs, oil, raw sugar, salted caramel and vanilla. stir in the grated apples.
in a separate mixing bowl sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. add this mixture to the wet ingredients and stir until batter just comes together (do not over mix).
lightly grease apple slice cakelet pan and pour a tablespoon of batter into each cakelet.
bake for 20 minutes or until the top bounces back to touch.
dust with powdered sugar & drizzle with salted caramel before serving.

this post was created in partnership with nordic ware. thank you for supporting the brands that support this blog! xo

who is ready for another apple recipe?! of course this one has to have some salted caramel sauce incorporated too. when i was out for a walk in my new neighbourhood this past weekend, i discovered just down the street from me is ANOTHER apple orchard (um, i love this place). i don't know how i didn't discover that sooner, this one was beyond cute. i knew it was time to purchase another bushel full & get baking.

i don't really think it is possible to ever get sick of apple desserts. there are too many! one of my favourites growing up was apple crisp & this one my mom said is the best apple crisp i have ever made. i think that is saying a LOT. instead of just finishing it off with salted caramel i even tossed the apples in salted caramel sauce before baking. you can always use store bought, but i highly reccomend making it yourself! nothing will come close to this flavour & i even made a simple video on NOM last month on how to make it. hope you have a lovely weekend & who knows what i will discover next in this quaint little hood of mine:)

ingredients

for the salted caramel

1 cup white sugar
1/3 cup water
1/3 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (optional)

for the filling

3 lbs baking apples, peeled + cored + thinly sliced
1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup salted caramel
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon lemon juice

for the topping

1 cup rolled oats
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 cup walnuts, roughly chopped
1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold & cubed
salted caramel, for topping
whipped cream, for topping

directions

for the salted caramel

in a saucepan add the sugar and water. bring the pan to a boil while wiping down the crystals that form on the sides of the pan using a pastry brush (do not stir, i repeat, do NOT stir).
continue to boil until the mixture turns to a deep amber colour, approximately 5 minutes. be sure not to burn the caramel! it will go from a deep amber to burnt sugar VERY quickly.
remove from heat and immediately whisk in the butter, cream, salt & vanilla.
cool to room temperature before using in recipe. can be made in advance!

for the filling

preheat oven to 350 degrees.
in a large mixing bowl toss the apples, sugar, caramel, cornstarch, vanilla & lemon juice.
add to baking dish & set aside while you prepare your topping.

for the topping

in a large mixing bowl whisk the oats, flour, sugar, cinnamon, salt & walnuts.
add in the cubed butter & work into the mixture until pea sized crumbs are formed.
evenly disperse over the apples & bake for one hour.
remove from oven & drizzle with additional salted caramel.
serve with fresh whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

like what you see? get it here. copper pan | ramekin | linen | porcelain paper plate