Thursday, January 14, 2016

VIRGINIA REEL APPLE CAKE



I wanted to let you know that only two recipes will be posted a week. Tuesdays I'll add mine and Carol has kindly agreed to post her fantastic creations on Thursdays .

                                          Virginia Reel Apple Cake

Back in the day, I used to be in the Monday rotation for having the women's craft group from our church meet here at our house. We'd get together to work on projects for the annual church fair. Everyone would bring a their own lunch and the hostess of the day was responsible for making dessert and serving a beverage.

I was always on the lookout for dessert recipes to feed quite a few people. Every time I'd ask Bob for an idea, he'd say "How about Upside-Down Apple Cake?  I'd give him a look...you know the one....the  "there's no such thing" look.  He'd emphatically come back with "Yes there is-my mother used to make one."

I finally got so sick of him INSISTING this cake existed that I called his mother and asked if she had a recipe for an Upside Down Apple Cake?  Lo and behold, she did.  She told me she used to make it a lot and how good it was.

Come to find out, it was an old Pillsbury recipe.  I have a treasured Pillsbury Bake Off Recipe Collection cookbook  that I got from my Mom that contains recipes from the first 10 Pillsbury Bake-Offs. We looked to see if the recipe was in there and sure enough-there it was.

The original recipe states to spread the apple topping in a 13x9x2-inch pan that has been well greased on the bottom. Well, I'm always leery of things sticking to the pan, so I always line the bottom of the pan with waxed paper or parchment paper, then give it a quick spritz of nonstick cooking spray. I've never lost one slice of the apple topping doing it this way.  The other way may work perfectly-I'm just afraid to take the chance.

Trust me when I say-this is one of THE BEST upside down cakes I've ever had. The cake has a beautiful tender crumb and the apple topping adds the perfect crowning touch.  Another plus-it uses simple-to-find-at-the-store ingredients that I always have on hand in my kitchen.

The cake isn't fancy-in my book, a dish doesn't have to be. I find many is the time that recipes with the simplest ingredients pack the biggest punch. Taste is what it's all about and this cake is downright delicious. Served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream?  Heavenly. Served at room temperature with a dollop of whipped cream?  Equally as good.  Even plain-this cake is a winner.

A big thank you to my mother in law Beverly for steering me in the direction of this over the top fantastic and easy to make cake.  The only part that wasn't easy?  Telling Bob he was right! :)


Carol


VIRGINIA REEL APPLE CAKE

(Source: slightly adapted from Pillsbury's Best 1000 Recipes Bake-Off Collection cookbook)

APPLE TOPPING:
4 c. apples (4-6 apples), peeled, cored and thinly sliced
1 c. granulated sugar
2 Tbsp. unsalted butter
1 tsp. ground cinnamon  

CAKE BATTER:
2 c. sifted all-purpose flour
2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1/2 c. vegetable shortening
1 c. granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 c. milk
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract


For the topping, combine the apples, 1 c. granulated sugar, butter and cinnamon in a medium saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the apples are tender.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line the bottom of a 13x9x2-inch baking pan with waxed paper or parchment paper, then give the paper a quick spray of nonstick cooking spray.  Pour the apple mixture into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly. Set aside.

For the cake batter, sift or whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set the mixture aside.

In a large mixing bowl, cream the shortening and 1 c. granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

Combine the milk and vanilla.

Add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture alternately with the milk/vanilla mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined.

Pour the batter over apples in the pan.

Bake @ 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until the cake tests done. I check it with a cake tester-if it comes out clean when stuck in the center of the cake-it's cooked through.  Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then invert the cake onto a tray or platter. Carefully remove the paper if it comes out of the pan-it  will usually lift right off. 


Serve the cake warm with whipped cream or ice cream. The cake is also delicious served at room temperature. Makes 12-15 servings.


Featured 1/21/16 on Miz Helen's Full Plate


Featured 1/22/16 on The Country Cook

Featured 1/25/16 on Busy Mom

65 comments:

  1. Gabe is going to LOVE this! Thanks Carol.

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    1. I hope he does, Linda! The good thing about this cake is you can cut the recipe in half and make it in an 8" square pan....good for small families.

      Enjoy! :)

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  2. Wow Carol, this looks and sounds so good. I love pineapple upside down cake, and it is a big favorite of the family. This will be a different one to try. Your cakes and pictures always look like they came from a magazine. Beautiful !! Guess you had to let Bob know he was right for a change huh?? Well at least you got a good cake out of it. Thanks to his Mom, you did a great job. Glad to see you will be helping Linda out and posting a recipe of yours on Thurs. I really missed having you to come to and "talk" to each day. Happy Thursday to you and all the rest who stop by.

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    1. I enjoy Pineapple Upside Down Cake too, Myra, but Bob isn't a fan. This one fits the bill nicely-so easy and really really good.

      Always happy to give Linda a hand. :)

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  3. Oh I remember this cake. I love your photo. I'm off tomorrow and have so many things I need to do. Have apples and have recipes to use them now thanks to you and Linda.

    Bob Right? well, I guess we have to give in some time.

    Have a great day everyone

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    1. Yup-Bob was right this time....and was he ever happy to remind me of that. Hahaha! :)

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  4. This cake sounds wonderful. Thank you so much for the recipe. Next time I ahve to bake a cake for someone, this is going to be the one.
    Have a great weekend.
    Mary

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    1. Thanks so much Mary-I hope you and your friends enjoy the cake as much as we do.

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  5. Carol,Larrys birtuday was the 4th and I wasn't able to get out to get the cake . He loves pine apple upside down cake. I will surprise him with this one. We are both diabetic and I would have to use a different sweetener and I would hope it tasted just as good as this. Thank you for sharing and for helping our Linda. Hugs to you..

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    1. As I said to Linda, you can cut the recipe in half and make an 8" cake for Larry if you don't want a big cake, Dottiemaye. I hope it comes out good for you. I've never used a different sweetener in it....let us know how it worked out. :)

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  6. I definitely want to give this a try, it looks amazing!

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  7. I definitely want to give this a try, it looks amazing!

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    1. Thank you Carlee-hope you enjoy it. It's one of our favorite cakes. :)

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  8. Enjoyed the post and the recipe looks totally delicious! Pinning and tweeting to share! Thank you for linking up with us for Snickerdoodle Sunday!

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    1. Hi Laurie-we love this cake-it's simple and so good. Thanks for sharing. :)

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  9. Your Virginia Reel Apple Cake looks fantastic! Hope you are having a great day and thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
    Come Back Soon!
    Miz Helen

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    1. Thank you Miz Helen-have a fabulous day! :)

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  10. Such a great idea. I need to make this one.

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    1. Hi Barbara-I think you and your family will enjoy this one a lot. Please let me know how it works for ya!

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  11. Sounds so yummy! Thanks for sharing at My Flagstaff Home!

    Jennifer

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    1. Thanks so much Jennifer-it's one delicious-and easy-cake!

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  12. This is not good for me because I am trying not to eat sweets, but it looks and sound so good that I might just need to give it a try.

    Thanks for Sharing Your Cup!

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    1. Not indulging in a little sweets can be hard that's for sure. Maybe have a bunch of friends over and share the wealth? :)

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  13. This looks amazing! Will definitely have to try this recipe!

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    1. Thank you Debbie-I hope you love it as much as we do.

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  14. This apple cake recipe looks so yummy.
    Thanks for sharing it at Cooking and Crafting with J & J.

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    1. It's super yummy-and easy too! Thanks so much, Julie.

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  15. This looks and sounds wonderful. Thanks so much for sharing with us at Weekend Potluck. Keep em comin!

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    1. Thank you Marsha-it's kind of an old fashioned cake and boy oh boy is it good.

      Have a great day....

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  16. This sounds delicious! I'm going to give it a try with making it gluten-free (since I have no other choice, lol). I'll let you know how it turns out.

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    1. Can't wait to hear how it comes out, Heather! :)

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  17. Looks amazing! Great recipe and inspiration for dessert.
    http://passportcouture.com

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    1. Thank you Brooke-it's one delicious cake...at least I think so! :)

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  18. That fluffy cake layer just looks incredible. Come say hello sometime! www.thehappyidiotblog.com

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    1. It's some kind of tasty, Melissa-hope you enjoy it if you decide to give it a try.

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  19. My family is going to LOVE this! I can't wait to make it for them! Thanks so much for linking up at The Homemaking Party.

    Blessings,
    Sarah

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    1. I hope you and your family enjoy this cake as much as we do, Sarah. Happy Baking!

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  20. Yumm...this looks so delish! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Share The Wealth Sunday!
    xoxo
    Lisa

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    1. Thanks Lisa-it's definitely one very tasty cake. :)

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  21. That sure looks delicious. I am from Virginia so I better copy and try this one!

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    1. Hi Bernideen-the woman who made this cake for the Bake-Off was from Anawalt, West Virginia. I hope you like it when you give it a try. :)

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  22. My Mom made a similar cake when I was young! Brings back some memories! Thanks for sharing on my Link Party "My 2 Favorite Things on Thursday" !! Hope to see you you tomorrow! Pinned!

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    1. Thanks Elaine-those childhood favorite recipes are the best!

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  23. Popping over from Brag About It to thank you so much for linking up and sharing your recipe with us! Hope you have a wonderful week!

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  24. Yum! I can't wait to make this! Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday!

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  25. This looks like a great, yummy recipe! Thanks for sharing! #SmallVictories

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    1. Thanks Danita-it's delicious-and easy too!

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  26. This recipe looks delicious. Thanks for sharing this in the Pinterest Game. Good luck on being featured!

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  27. I MAY have just drooled! YUM!

    Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!

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    1. :) Jess....been there, done THAT! Hahaha......

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  28. I'm such a huge fan of apples and this is a basic recipe (aren't all Pillsbury recipes?). Thanks for sharing it at the Over the Moon Link Party.

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    1. That's why I love that cookbook so much, Sandy-most of the recipes contain simple ingredients that are easy to find. I lean toward those more than the newer ones that use pre-made ingredients.

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  29. What kind of apples should we use?
    Thanks!

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    1. Hi Chris-sorry it took so long for me to get back to you. I like using Granny Smith apples. I've mixed apples I have before and that works well too. I like using apples that are on the tart side when baking.

      Carol

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  30. What kind of apples should we use in this recipe?
    Thank you,
    Chris

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  31. Love the name of your cake and it looks absolutely delicious too! Sometimes the old recipes really are the best! I like how you have adapted it here. Thank you so much for sharing with us at the Hearth and Soul hop. Pinned!

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    1. Thanks April-I agree with you-I just love the older recipes...they really are special.

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  32. Congratulations!
    Your recipe is featured on Full Plate Thursday. Hope you have a great week and enjoy your new Red Plate.
    Come Back Soon!
    Miz Helen

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    1. Thanks so much for the feature, Miz Helen! :)

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  33. This cake looks delicious! Thanks for linking up with What's Cookin' Wednesday!

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    1. Thanks Karly-I hope you enjoy it if you decide to give it a try. :)

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  34. Living in Virginia, this shows up in alot of the church cookbooks I collect, but I'd never seen one and always curious about it! so glad to find your recipe! Thanks for sharing at our Cupcake & cake party for Celebrate365 Blog Party!

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