I suppose the following is what happens when you are left with a dreary evening to fill and you yearn for something warm and comforting. While I probably should have just grabbed a blanket, I decided to bake a truly decadent dessert instead: Apple Coffee Cake with Crumble Topping and Brown Sugar Glaze.
I think most of my regular readers know that I am not afraid to indulge every once in awhile. Life is just too short people!
I have attempted to be a low-fat baker in the past, but since giving up fat-free or low-fat foods, I have discovered the beauty of baking with REAL ingredients. You just can’t beat the flavor!
Since switching to full-fat ingredients, 90% of the time the desserts I bake are not going to be very “figure friendly.” However, because they are so much richer in flavor, I find I am MUCH more satisfied by eating less!
In my desserts I like to use REAL, WHOLE ingredients that are minimally processed, organic and I adamently preach the importance of listening to your body and using moderation (one round cake pan is NOT intended to be a single serving my friends).
This cake smells absolutely divine while it’s in the oven but it TASTES even better when you cut out that first slice. MmMmmm…apple crumb cake, with its’ crunchy crumble topping, sweet apple chunks, and unbelievably moist center that will literally melt in your mouth, your audience will be floored. Go on, help yourself to a small slice too! 
Apple Coffee Cake with Crumble Topping and Brown Sugar Glaze
Emeril Lagasses, The Food Network
Cake:
- 1/2 stick of unsalted butter (grass-fed or organic is my preferred choice), softened
- 3/4 c. packed brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup unbleached AP flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp celtic sea salt
- 1/2 cup plain organic yogurt
- 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups diced, peeled, cored organic apples
Topping:
- 1/4 c. packed brown sugar
- 1/4 c. unbleached AP flour
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 2 T unsalted butter, softened
Brown Sugar Glaze:
- 1/4 c. packed brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp vanilla
- 1 T water
Directions:
Preheat oven 350 degrees and lightly grease a round cake pan.
In a large bowl, cream together the half stick of butter and sugar until light and fluffy (should look whipped). Add the egg and beat in well. In a separate bowl or on a piece of parchment, sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Add to the wet ingredients, alternating additions with the yogurt and vanilla. Fold in apples. Pour into the prepared cake pan, spreading evenly.
To make the topping, combine the sugar, flour, cinnamon, and butter, and mix until it makes coarse crumbs. Sprinkle the topping over the cake and bake until golden brown and set, 30 to 35 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack for at least 10 minutes.
To make the glaze, in a bowl, combine the sugar, vanilla, and water and mix until smooth. Drizzle the semi-cooled cake with the glaze and let harden slightly. Serve warm.
Looks so darn good!! Love using whole real ingredients!
oh gosh, the picture alone does it justice. this would be perfect with a starbucks black coffee. mmmm! also i am hosting an #applelove bloghop with 21 other bloggers for the month of october 2011. if you would like, link up your post so that others can find this too. have a great day!
http://juniakk.blogspot.com/2011/10/apple-bloghop-gf-quinoa-apple-muffins.html
Coffee cakes are one of the few sweets that I love. All that sweet crumbly topping takes me over the top. I agree with you that a treat here and there is well worth it.
Sounds incredible….right up my alley!
That cake looks like a good way to indulge, so glad you enjoyed it:-)
again, you preach and I believe. Let’s bake with the original ingredients people….especially when the recipe is for a dessert. That’s what my mom did and while I attempt to cook her recipes, I have to stay authentic to the meal and the taste! I am in apple land too as I’ve just picked 50 apples from the orchard. Today was all about making apple cobblers and apple butter in my new slow cooker— neither of which are so healthy but damn, are they going to taste great!!! thx for the recipe
I completely agree that you cannot beat the flavor of real ingredients!
This coffee cake looks so good!
I have 23 apple left to use from the apple fest I went to this weekend!
Oooo YES to this! Great recipe, perfect for fall
Those look absolutely amazing! I agree. Baking with real ingredients is so much better.
This would be gone in 1.5 seconds in my house.. Oh my gosh looks so great! I am not afraid of indulging either especially when it looks this good.
What a yummy treat!!!
Decadence! I love it, what a treat
Now THAT’s how to bake! I have a hard time doing “healthy” baking. I think because I’m such a baker at heart that I just throw caution to the wind and use real ingredients. It’s also handy to have lots of people to share with, too.
This looks like it is completely worth the indulgence! Emeril’s the man
Looks delicious! Cooking with real ingredients is the way to go
That sounds amazing Erin! YUM!
I’m right there with you with the REAL ingredients and those foods being much more satisfying so you don’t need to eat as much!
Oooh what a beauty!! That Emeril, he knows his coffee cakes!