Happy Halloween! It’s the day for creepy costumes and fairy princesses or that’s what I hope for every year. I love seeing kids in their costumes. Not one trick or treater this year so the bag of candy bars will just have to be eaten. Bugger.
As promised, we dressed Charlie up in his Halloween costume (a bee) and went to the nursing home with a big basket of candy bars. Now I bet you’re thinking they’d be really happy to see a dog dressed up as a bee and carrying a basket of candy bars. They all looked at us as though we had just stepped off an alien spaceship.
Halloween is just now catching on in Australia and these oldies had no idea what we were there for. None.
“It’s Halloween, the day kids dress up in fancy dress (that’s costume in Australian) and go door to door and say Trick or Treat and the homeowner gives them candy,” I said. John’s father said something about me and American and I told him to hush.
Blank stares all around.
Nothing to do but go to the dining room, park Charlie under the table and we had coffee, cookies and a LOT of candy. John’s mother polished off about 8 pumpkin kisses, a box of smarties and 3 Cadbury chocolate bars. AND cookies. I asked her if she was full and she said, “Oh, I never eat anything, it’s why I’m so thin.” I thought about pointing out that she’d eaten three filled cookies, a cup of coffee and all that candy but she wouldn’t have remembered that she ate it. In her mind, she hasn’t eaten anything since she arrived at the nursing home.
I came home and made a cake that I’d seen on the Recipe Girl’s site. I found it on Pinterest first and followed the link to her site. It’s apple pie cake. It sounded really good so I printed out the recipe and got to work.
This cake takes 5 or 6 apples that are peeled and sliced and placed in the bottom of a springform pan. Then cake batter is made and poured on top and you bang the pan on the counter to get the batter down through the apples. I think when I make this again I’ll mix the apples into the batter. It won’t be so pie-like but it will cook more evenly I think. In order to get the skewer to come out batter free I had to bake it an extra 10 minutes.
I’m listing the ingredients on the blog because I’ve made some changes but I want to do the right thing and ask you to visit Lori’s site to get the full recipe. She came up with the idea and deserves all the credit. Yes the crust does crack as the apples cook but that just makes it all better. Lori’s cracked too.
- 6 to 8 Granny Smith apples, peeled and sliced
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3 large eggs
- 1½ cups caster or superfine white sugar
- 1½ cups vegetable or canola oil
- 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1½ cups plain or all-purpose flour
- more cinnamon-sugar to sprinkle on top (same as above)
Happy Halloween Maureen!
What a funny Hallloween story which is quite a day brightener considering the bleakness around here. We won’t have trick or treaters either. I finally got smart enough NOT to buy any extra candy. Marion would eat it all and then swear she hasn’t eaten any candy since last Halloween which of course she denied eating, lol…
Lovely Cake. Lori sure does have some creative recipes going on at her blog. I really should pop by for a visit. I like the simplicity of ingredients in this one. I’m sure the house smelled oh so good!
Thanks so much for sharing, Maureen. Have FUN!
Oh my gosh, Maureen! I’ve been a bit out of the loop lately, and realize I have missed sooooo many awesome recipes on your blog lately! I wasn’t sure where to start! (So why not start with the cake … dessert first!?!?) This looks fantastic – I’m definitely pinning! The only thing missing from this post is a pic of Charlie in his bee costume – lol! So sweet that you took him to spread cheer at the nursing home! Finn will be sporting (more or less against his will) the seriously terrific wizard costume my daughter and my mom sewed for him last year! So fun! Happy Halloween!!! 😀
Wow this sounds wonderful and it’s really so easy. The flavor must be sensational. I love this time of year just so I can bake all sorts of apple desserts and pumpkin. This one is definitely a keeper. I have company coming in town next week, I think I’ll have to make this to share with everyone. Great recipe and so pretty too!
I love how straightforward this recipe is. Thanks for the heads up about extra baking time …Happy Halloween!!
Lovely cake… lovely fingernails.. 🙂 😉 😉
LOL I tried to get my fingers out of the way. Hand models must have a tough job. 🙂
Love all the apple layering, looks like a scrumptious, melt in your mouth dessert.
I am just drooling looking at this gorgeous cake!! Wow, I sure could go for a slice right now!!
Oh, lovely Maureen – makes me want to eat cake:)
I like cracked crusts — they show character. This looks awesome — I’ve been seeing loads of apple pie cakes lately, and I must admit we’ve never made one. But we will. 🙂 Our kitty wants a skunk costume to wear trick or treating! She and Charlie would make a lovely couple, don’t you think? Bummer indeed that you didn’t get any kids coming by. Some years we get loads, others just a few. So we never know how much candy to buy. And end up eating way too much ourselves. A bad thing — although not entirely! Anyway, Happy Halloween.
Happy Halloween to you & yours, Maureen! I got a tickle from the reaction of the home upon your arrival. It’s good of you to bring some spirited cheer, and it seems John’s mother enjoyed the treats. Your take on Lori’s cake looks tasty. Headed there now to see her version.
What lovely and yumm apple pie!
Happy halloween!
Okay I am loving this cake, Maureen, it sounds amazing… can I have a slice for breakfast please? And where are the photos of Charlie in his costume?
Joan got confused and started to get upset when I asked so I said forget it. I have photos from his test shots. I’ll add one of those. 🙂
What fun!
Such a shame the dressing up wasn’t appreciated. Halloween has become much bigger here too. All the children trick or treat now. Great looking apple pie cake, it looks so delicious. GG
Gorgeous, I love all those layers of apples! I’m sorry the Halloween plan was a bit of a let down, but I know your visits are doing the “oldies” much good!
They are, Laura. It’s a lot of work. 🙂
I too love the simplicity and straightforwardness of this recipe.
I scrolled down looking for Charlie’s photo, but no photo. What happened?
Joan didn’t want to pose and started to get agitated so I said forget it. I won’t do anything that makes her upset. If she gets confused she gets angry, that’s how she pushes people away so they don’t know she’s struggling.
I enjoyed reading your story about going to the Nursing Home. =)
Sounds like you had a interesting time!
Your Apple Pie-cake looks delicious!
Happy Halloween!
Happy Boo day. Love the cake!!!!
Even after 45 plus years in Canada, my immigrant parents never could see the attraction of Thanksgiving so I understand the oldies’ confusion. I think incorporating all those apples into a coffee type cake is a great idea.
People in Australia understand Thanksgiving and they respect it. They think Halloween and Valentine’s Day are dumb. 🙂
I MEANT to say Halloween. Don’t know where my brain was.
Happy Halloween (for yesterday!)! Your apple pie meets cake is a GREAT idea, all the flavour without the dough rolling 😀
Delicious job!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
G’day and Happy Halloween Maureen!
Miss the traditions, foods and fun!
Your cake looks great and hopping over to view Lori’s too!
Cheers! Joanne
I miss seeing the littlies in their costumes.
Happy halloween to you to Maureen! I am seriously loving this cake!! I agree with Lizzy – can I have some for breakfast please?
Apple pie cake – that’s a genius idea. Loving your photos lately especially the last one with the cracked crust – it looks magnificent.
What a great looking pie/cake, Maureen. That story about Charlie dressed as a bee going trick or treating only to have his audience completely confused is just hysterical. Imagine being able to put away thousands of calories and then walk around saying you haven’t eaten a thing! We didn’t get any trick or treaters in our neck of the woods either xx
We can exchange half our candy and have a different selection 🙂
Happy Halloween (belated)! I love that photo of your dog in costume…. the look on his face is priceless!! I love apples in cake and this dessert looks like the perfect way to enjoy the fall festivities. 🙂
Charlie Bee! He looks absolutely adorable. And embarrassed. Just as Halloween should beeeeee….
Happy Halloween! The cake looks fantastic! Love the dog and his costume!
Wow! Maureen, this looks fabulous! What a cool cake-pie, I pinned that one. Your doggie looks so cute! We have lived here for 20 years and the only halloween trick or treater that we have ever, ever had visit us have been our grandkids when their parents have brought them. I really enjoyed making halloween costumes for our four kids when they were growing up. We had some pretty awesome outfits too. 🙂
Hahaha! Charlie looks a little bee-mused with this Halloween lark, Maureen! Love this gorgeous apple-y cake. Hope Charlie got a little slice of it.
Unfortunately, I have the same memory as John’s Mom about what I have eaten – and just as unfortunately, it shows! 🙂 Love this cake, which is very similar to one my grandmother made when I was kid – a recipe that is on my editorial calendar later in the month. Yours looks SO good!
This looks fantastic! I love the idea of a pie-cake, looks like the best of two wonderful desserts to me. And that Charlie, oh my goodness, had he knocked at my door, I would have given him all of the loot and then turned the lights out!
That cake looks AMAZING Maureen! And lol I can just picture everyone’s faces. I for one would have loved it but sometimes people just don’t get the whole Halloween thing!
If they were more like you, Lorraine, it would have been a very festive occasion. 🙂
This looks amazing!! I definitely need to make this!
Oh, my gosh, what a cake!!! If I had the right kind of apples in the house, I’d make it right now!!! Love Mr. Charlie’s expression…he’s so darn cute.
Wow, Maureen! This pie looks so crumbly and chunky. I literally smacked at the sight of this!!! Perfect for my tea!
Gourmet Getaways
LOVE the look of that cake, Maureen. I’ve no idea what a ‘pumpkin kiss’ is but I’m keen to get my hands on some!
Your apple pie cake looks amazing and Charlie looks pretty darn cute in his bee getup, though he looks like he’s not quite sure about it. 😉
Yum. This sounds like a great idea! And Charlie looks super cute!
LOL that picture of Charlie is the best! Oh if dogs could talk! This cake looks wonderful! Thanks for sharing!
So much easier than making a double crust for pie. Must make this soon!
Aww…I didn’t get to dress up my chihuahuas for Halloween this year!!
When I get to the nursing home, I’m letting loose – no more watching calories!! Might as well enjoy life to its fullest, though I admit, I’d probably get sick eating all that!
I love the simplicity of this cake, though I know peeling all those apples is not simple, but the few, straight forward ingredients are perfect. My mom had a similar recipe, I’ve not posted, and I’ve also realized I’ve not made it in many years. This brings back sweet memories, and a perfect dessert for fall.
This must have been delicious. My husband loves apple desserts.. I should try this one for him, it sounds delicious.
Oh this does sound interesting I love apples in pie and cake so hey both combined is a great idea!
How on earth did I miss this gorgeous recipe? I love this cake, Maureen, it sounds just fantastic. Also Charlie looks adorable!
Love Charlie Bee!!! 🙂 That first picture of the cake slice is simply awesome! When I first saw it, I knew I was going to have to make this cake. Love it!
I’m loving everything about this! No longer will I need to make the difficult decision between pie and cake!
P.S. Regardless of whether one celebrates/understands Halloween or not, a dog in a bee costume is plain adorable! 😀
I love the way this cake looks and sounds I may make this one today!
It WAS good. 🙂
Hi Maureen I belatedly clicked through to Lori’s site and it seems this recipe is actually from an Australian book:
“The recipe is one that I spotted while reading through one of the newest cookbooks I have on my shelf: Monday Morning Cooking Club.”
Looks sensational and I’m going to try it today with apples we picked from the side of the road on a recent trip through Bathurst.
Hi!
I need to make this to serve more people. Do you think it would work in a 9×13? Also, since it’s for my son’s birthday, how do you think it would taste with a light frosting?
Thank you!
Sara
Frosting would be fine and you can make this in any type of pan as long as it’s got enough volume. You might have to add half a recipe to it.