Apple-Cranberry Cake With Cider Sauce

🍰🍏🍒 Apple-Cranberry Cake With Cider Sauce 🍏🍒🍰

History 📜:
Apple-Cranberry Cake with Cider Sauce is a delightful dessert that combines the flavors of apples and cranberries with a warm, comforting cider sauce. While there isn’t a specific historical account for this exact recipe, it draws inspiration from traditional American apple and cranberry desserts that have been enjoyed for generations. Apples and cranberries are both staples of American cuisine, especially during the fall and winter seasons.

Components 🧁🍎🍒:

1. Apples: You’ll need fresh, tart apples (such as Granny Smith) for the cake and cider sauce.
2. Cranberries: Fresh or frozen cranberries add a tart and vibrant flavor.
3. Flour: All-purpose flour serves as the base for the cake.
4. Sugar: Granulated sugar sweetens the cake and sauce.
5. Baking Powder: To help the cake rise.
6. Eggs: Provide structure and moisture to the cake.
7. Butter: Adds richness and flavor to the cake.
8. Vanilla Extract: Enhances the cake’s aroma and taste.
9. Salt: Balances the sweetness.
10. Cider: Apple cider is used to make the delicious sauce.
11. Cornstarch: Thickens the cider sauce.

Steps to Prepare 🍽️:

1. Preheat: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×9-inch baking pan.

2. Prepare Apples and Cranberries: Peel and chop the apples into small pieces. Rinse the cranberries and set them aside.

3. Make the Cake Batter: In a mixing bowl, cream together 1 cup of sugar and 1/2 cup of butter until light and fluffy. Beat in 2 eggs and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups of flour, 1 3/4 teaspoons of baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until well combined. Fold in the chopped apples and cranberries.

4. Bake the Cake: Pour the cake batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for about 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

5. Prepare the Cider Sauce: While the cake is baking, prepare the cider sauce. In a saucepan, combine 1 cup of apple cider, 1/2 cup of sugar, and 1 tablespoon of cornstarch. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens and comes to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for a few more minutes until it reaches a syrupy consistency. Remove from heat.

6. Serve: Once the cake is done, let it cool slightly. Cut it into squares, and drizzle the warm cider sauce over each piece.

7. Enjoy: Serve your Apple-Cranberry Cake with Cider Sauce warm, and savor the harmonious blend of sweet and tart flavors.

Time Needed ⏲️:

• Preparation: Approximately 20-25 minutes
• Baking: 40-45 minutes
• Total Time: Approximately 1 hour and 5-10 minutes

This dessert is a perfect way to celebrate the flavors of fall and can be enjoyed as a comforting treat or as a delightful ending to a holiday meal. 🍂🍰🍏🍒😊

Certainly! Here are the nutrition facts and some health information for the Apple-Cranberry Cake with Cider Sauce per serving (assuming it’s divided into 12 servings):

Nutrition Facts:

• Calories: Approximately 290
• Total Fat: About 9g
  • Saturated Fat: Around 5g
• Cholesterol: Approximately 50mg
• Sodium: About 180mg
• Total Carbohydrates: Around 51g
  • Dietary Fiber: Approximately 2g
  • Sugars: About 34g
• Protein: Approximately 3g

Health Information:

• Calories: This dessert provides moderate calories, making it suitable as an occasional treat. Be mindful of portion sizes.
• Total Fat: The cake contains some fat, mainly from butter. While fat is necessary for flavor and texture, it should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
• Saturated Fat: Saturated fat is present due to the butter used in the recipe. Excessive saturated fat intake can be detrimental to heart health, so enjoy this cake in moderation.
• Cholesterol: The cholesterol content is moderate. It’s important to limit dietary cholesterol intake for heart health.
• Sodium: The sodium content is relatively low, which is beneficial for those watching their sodium intake.
• Total Carbohydrates: The cake is carbohydrate-rich, primarily from sugar and flour. Carbohydrates provide energy, but excessive sugar intake should be limited for overall health.
• Dietary Fiber: While this cake contains some dietary fiber from apples and cranberries, it’s not a significant source. Consider incorporating more fiber-rich foods into your daily diet for digestive health.
• Protein: The protein content is relatively low. You may want to pair this dessert with a protein source for a more balanced meal.

Remember that the nutritional values can vary based on specific ingredients and serving sizes, so it’s essential to adjust your portion size to meet your dietary needs and goals. Enjoy this dessert as an occasional treat and balance it with a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains for overall health. 🍰🍏🍒😊