Apple Cake

 I love cooked apples in any form.  It’s from my father who used to make them with dates and honey in the center.  Those granny Smith apples were divine.  My favorite today are Honeycrisps, but I realize the season is very short.  So by all means use Granny Smiths as well.  This is a perfect Thanksgiving recipe.

• 1 2/3 cups flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 stick (8 tbsp) butter softened
• 2 os. Fromage Blanc or quark cheese (Whole Foods has it); or Greek yogurt
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 extra large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (Tahiti is my favorite)
• 3 cups peeled, cored and thickly sliced apples (5 apples)
• 3 tbsp. sugar mixed with 1 tsp cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350F.  Spray a 9” spring-form pan with Pam.

Sift dry ingredients and set aside.  Mix butter, sugar and Fromage Blanc (cream cheese) or yogurt in mixer on medium speed until fluffy (3 minutes). 

Add eggs one at a time until absorbed. Add vanilla.   Fold in dry ingredients on low speed.  Fold in apples.  Pour into pan and sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon mixture.  Bake 45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out dry.

Serve warm with ice cream or room temperature with whipped cream.