I sometimes wish that my future self could just pop into my present world just to… you know… say hi, and let me know that everything in the future is going along just swimmingly. That never happens, but maybe I just haven’t given future me enough guidance. With this in mind… here’s a quick letter to future me. Now maybe 48 year old me will get crackin’ on some answers. Slacker.
Dear Future Me,
Hi. How’s it going? You look really pretty in that sweater.
I have a few questions for you. I hope you’ll indulge me.
Are you still unreasonably afraid of spiders? Probably. You know what? That’s ok. That’s what spouses are for… clearing spiders from anywhere that might interfere with you.
Speaking of spouses… do you have one? How’s that going? Awesome. I hope it’s awesome. I hope you two hold hands and take morning walks and go out on dates.
Do you still buy the cheap mascara? Have you been to Italy yet?
Tell me you still wear a little black dress and heels on occasion. Please.
Kids. Do we have Mom hands yet? Oooh, I love Mom hands. I can’t wait to have Mom hands… well I can wait. I’m waiting right this very second and I don’t feel bad. But Mom hands…. I bet we totally have Mom hands.
How do you feel about eggplant? Do you like eggplant yet?
What’s been good? What’s been not so good? Are you livin’ the dream?
Let me know how we are. Send me a sign… maybe a paper airplane with your answers… whatever you need to do.
I’ll be sitting here with a cup of tea and my Spiced Apple Cake waiting to hear from you.
Love,
Present Me
Quick Blurb of Shamelessness
Hi… it’s me, Joy the Baker. I hang out here a lot. So do you. I like that. Thanks.
Last week I was nominated for the Foodbuzz Blog Awards. The Best Baking Blog… go figure. If you’re feeling… votey, you might head on over to Foodbuzz to vote for all the fine folks that are up for an award. Yea? Thanks!
I love this apple cake. LOVE IT! It’s perfectly spiced, full of tart fall apples and moistened with sour cream. I baked my apple cake in an old fashioned tube pan, but I think this recipe is best made in a 8″ or 9″ spring form pan. Bonus! This cake freezes well. I sliced my cake and wrapped up pieces individually to grab as an afternoon snack at work. Spiced Apple Cake with hot tea… a perfect world.
Spiced Apple Cake
from The Sweet Life
Sauteed Apples
2 tart apples (about 1 pound)
2 Tablespoons butter
2 Tablespoons sugar
Cake
12 Tablespoons butter, at room temperature
1 cup packed light brown sugar
4 egg yolks, at room temperature
1 3/4 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/2 teaspoon clove
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 cup plus 1 Tablespoon sour cream
1/4 cup raw sugar (or granulated if you don’t have raw on hand)
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and place a rack in the center of the oven. Butter and flour an 8-inch spring form pan and set aside.
To sautee the apples: peel, core and dice the apples into 1/4-inch cubes. Melt the butter in a saute pan over medium heat until butter beings to bubble. Add the diced apples and cook for one minute, stirring with a wooden spoon. Add the sugar and continue to cook for 2 minutes. Turn the heat to low and cook the apples, uncovered for 4-5 minutes until they are softened. Remove from heat and allow to cool. You’ll only use the sauteed apples for the recipe so you can discard any liquids that may have accumulated.
To make the cake: cream the butter, sugar and spices in a stand mixer fit with a paddle attachment until light in color and fluffy. This may take 6 to 8 minutes. Stop the mixer occasionally, to scrape down the sides of the bowl and continue beating until mixture is light and fluffy.
Add the egg yolks one at a time and continue beating until fluffy and glossy.
Measure out the flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda. With the mixer set on low speed, add half of the dry ingredients to the batter. Mix until no flour streaks remain. Add the sour cream all at once and incorporate. Add the rest of the dry ingredients and mix until no traces remain. Fold in the cooked apples with a rubber spatula. The cake batter will be thick.
Spread the cake batter into the prepared pan and distribute evenly. Take a knife and run it in a singular circular motion through the batter 1-inch from the edge of the pan. This will help the cake to rise evenly. Sprinkle the cake with the raw or granulated sugar and bake for 60- 70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before removing the sides of the spring form pan.
Sheila
I heart you. You have my vote. Can’t wait ’til I get paid and can buy a big basket of tart apples.
K
I made this over the weekend for a dinner party and it was a huge hit with everyone! One question: with 4 yolks, the cake ended up a bit too eggy-smelling for my taste. Do you think it would be possible to use 2 whole eggs instead of the 4 yolks?
jami
I made this today in two loaf pans (so I could share with a nice neighbor). It was not quite enough batter for two cakes, so they are a little short, but the taste is great! I used nonfat vanilla Greek yogurt (Trader Joe’s) and it was delicious! What a great consistency – such a light cake, but the apples give it a little heft. Delicious!
Jenny
I made this for Christmas and it was a hit! So delicious!
Gwen McGill
Baked this cake this afternoon with my eight year old granddaughter, Calley. We both loved it. My great grandmother taught my mom to make an applesauce cake so Calley wanted me to bake one with her. I could not find an applesauce cake recipe but I said this was a Saucy Apple Cake!
Lydia
My cake was done after 40 minutes instead of 60-70. Don’t know what happened there, but it was baked perfectly. It might have even been a wee bit overbaked. I subbed 1/2 creme fraiche and 1/2 Fage yogurt for the sour cream (and yes, I thought I was so clever), and if I were to make it again, would skip the sugar on top. Hopefully that might help someone…
Heather Higgins
Truly delicious! Instead of a sugar topping what about melted on chocolate or cream or even custard which is traditional.
Emma
I made a cake just like this for thanksgiving, though slightly different..
I used nearly 4 pounds of apple puree, so it was more of a pudding but delicious all the same. This website is great, so glad to have found it. I’ll be baking a chocolate cake with your buttercream icing for my Mom’s birthday tomorrow, thanks for the inspiration!
Laurel
I made this last night and it was great. Served it to my husband with whipped cream and he liked it a lot (and he is picky).
I love the gingerbready flavor. I think I might try raisins and pecans in it next time, and maybe some cinnamon-sugar sprinkled on top.
Do you think it would be good with vanilla?
Thanks so much Joy for your inspiration!!
Em
I’m just going to head out now and get some apples! I read this in the early hours of the morning (I’m in GMT0 zone:)) and have been planning its baking since.
My sister gave me one of those round tins for Christmas and your recipe looks like it will be a beauty. Many thanks!
Laura
I made this cake this weekend and it is sooooo good. Thank you for sharing your wonderful recipe!
Alison
I love apple cake. My grandpa used to make one every year around the holidays. Alas, I do miss it now that he’s gone. I think I will make this soon as a revival of the holiday apple cake! =]
Alex
Hi Joy, congrats! I voted for you…
I tried this cake last night… but I did not have an 8″ springform pan… I wound up putting it in a square pan, because I have a lid to keep it fresh. I wouldn’t recommend the square… the corners aren’t the best…
*but* and this is a big BUT:
this was, hands down, the BEST apple cake I have ever made. I have tried MANY, MANY apple cakes…. and this one… oh, my!
Moist, light, soft… yummy.
Make this cake, just use a round pan.Your taste buds will thank you.
:-)
sally
this cake is excellent! the tart apples provide contrast to the rich and spicy, yet lightweight cake, and the crunchy sugar topping gives it great texture. i used plugra butter–i’m obsessed with using it in baked items these days; it’s so rich and creamy.
i can’t wait to bring this in to work tomorrow for a morning birthday celebration! it will be perfect! thanks for sharing it, joy!!
Chrissy
I am saving this to make next weekend. I bet your house smelled wonderful while you were baking this.
Debbi
As always, I copied out the recipe and will be peeling apples shortly! As for mom hands, I wasn’t as lucky as you to have that kind of mom, but I do notice lately (yes, I’m old!! OK well old but not ancient YET!) that while my hands are quite nice woman hands, they are also like my dad’s. Able to do anything I put my mind to, able to soothe, nurture, bake, garden, etc, etc, and so on. I love you daddy!
Mari
Am eating a warm freshly baked slice of this now…and LOVING it! Thanks, Joy!
Laurel
Hi Joy!
Can’t wait to make this.
Congrats on the nomination! You should have been in some other categories too :) I voted right away. Good luck! You have such a wonderful voice–I love your posts.
Growing up, I wrote letters to myself to read at special moments (graduations, etc). I love your letter to your future self. Your future family and friends are very lucky!
Keep smiling! :)
Joanne
Joy,
This cake looks delicious. Also perfect timing since apples are abundant now. Cannot wait to make this treat. All I would need with it is a nice cup of warm cider and some fresh whipped cream.
Veggie Belly
this looks so good! love your photos!
Carly
Congrats on your nomination–you have my vote. I love your blog! I went apple-picking this past weekend, so I will be trying out this recipe immediately. Thanks for the autumn-y inspiration.
Sarah
Oh my! I made this cake tonight for a potluck and it was gone within minutes! Everyone raved about it and asked what my secret was! Thanks so much, Joy, for a fabulous recipe to add to my repertoire!
Andrea
Joy,
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your blog! Your recipes are so fantastic and you are so cute!
Wish I could sit down and have tea with you!
Andrea
on the rocks
Congrats on the nomination.. it’s obvious you totally deserve it!
carole
ok, so we are drving thru ohio on the way to michigan to pick apples so I thought I would plan ahead and find an apple recipe to make at my uncle’s house – enter Joy! so i’m typing this comment on hubby’s phone cuz I just have to tell you that You Rock! apple cake was the first thing I saw on the screen and I can’t wait to make it- thanks, Joy!
Susan
Congrats on your nomination! Hope you win! I love spicey, appley baked yummies in the Fall!
Kasey
This cake makes me want to have a tea party stat.
Sandy
If I close my eyes & relax, I think I can actually smell warm spiced apple cake right now. Is that the sign of a stroke, or heart attack – smelling things? Who cares, I want to die with this cake – yummy!
Mari
How did you know that I had two apples in my kitchen that were dying to be a part of apple cake?! Can’t wait to smell this one baking in my oven!
Dawn (HealthySDLiving)
This looks amazing!
Tracy
mmmmmmmm sour cream! what are mom hands btw?
Nicole
Mine is in the oven presently. Thanks! It smells soooo good!
Jenn@ You know... that blog?
I love love love that letter to yourself. Very cute, and we learned a little about you at the same time. Nice!
That cake looks extremely yummy… Jade was right, I shouldn’t have come here when I was hungry… *sigh*
I hope you have Mom hands one day soon! That is one loud biological clock you’ve got going there ;)
katie
Your cake looks delicious Joy! Bundt pans and I don’t seem to like each other very much. My cake often gets stuck in them but this cake might be worth giving it one more shot!
itsworthalook
I hope the future you simply says “relax and enjoy the ride”! (Oh, and bake-on!)
ayu
my mom loves spices! i think i should give this a try :)
Alicia
Apple spice cake is right up my alley – yum!
I like your letter, very cute :)
Cate
Congratulations on the foodbuzz nomination!
This apple cake looks so pretty. I think I need to get myself one of those nice pans to bake it in!
Emily Rose
man, this cake looks so great! I can never get enough of apple baked goods this time of year! OH, and I have mom hands and believe me- they aren’t as great as you might think- but maybe that’s because I’m 24 year old me, they’ll probably look really good on 48 year old you (but don’t worry, the mom part that comes with the hands is the best thing ever!).
Emily Rose
Is Emily Rose your first and last name or first and middle? I could be your future you. :)
the projectivist
i read your blog on my phone this morning, then jumped out of bed and whipped up my own spiced apple cake – we all ate a piece for breakfast and it was wonderful!
yum yum!
thanks Joy.
Crystal
Oooh, that looks positively to die for! I love apple recipes. I love fall because of the reason!
Kristina C.
I am trying to make friends with spiders! I now can deal with the smaller ones, but the big ones will never be a friend! Even my scaredy-cat husband does not want to deal with them! So, don’t expect a spouse to come running!
Can’t wait to try your cake!
SanSan
This cake looks super yummy and perfect for fall. But I’m confused by one thing. We’re using 2 T. of butter to saute the apples in, and then after the cake needs 12 T. So why are we draining the butter out of the apples? Why not just keep the butter the apples are in and only put in 10 T. into the cake?
Maybe there’s something I’m missing, but I just didn’t get throwing away 2 T. just to add 12 more…
Can’t wait to make this though, and agree with everyone else, love love *love* the tree slice for a cake plate! Too cute and very festive.
Drisana
OOOH! I just love you! Not in a weird way at all ;)
My family and I just picked tons of fresh apples, and I can’t wait to try out this amazing recipe!
Not to mention, I can’t wait to have mom hands!
Jen @ MaplenCornbread
WOW this cake looks and sounds amazing! Perfect Autumn cake! I love the log inspired cake plate ;)
Kelly
Yummy! Congrats and good luck on the FoodBuzz award!
Dianne
First things first… I just voted for you :-) yay!
Second … About that eggplant thing- I started
to like it a couple years ago- it was strange, all
of the sudden I LOVED it and ate it regularly
for about two months.. Then – wammo! I got the
flu, right after eating eggplant.. And I have not
eatin it since.. So, let me tell you, as a girl who
has been on both sides of the eggplant liking fence-
actually been there and back again… Your not
missing anything!
Meghan
I don’t have a stand mixer! Do I have to do much diferent with a regular mixer? I hope not.. I really want to make this :)
Susan
Just out of the oven and it’s perfect. Thanks for another winner.
Sometimes, I forget how very young you are – your voice belies your age – in a good way! You’re obviously a wise, old soul. At 45 with a 13 year old and a 17 year old, I’ve decided to embrace your exuberance about Mom hands. I’ve certainly got ’em, and I’ve surely earned ’em!
You’re such a bright spot on my browser!
Kim
Lovely post, picture and recipe.
Elle-Belle
Hi Joy! Long time reader, first time commenter here. I absolutely adore your site and find myself going through the archives and your recipe index teasing my taste buds. It’s Thanksgiving here in Canada today and I’m going to a friend’s for dinner. Needing something to bring with me, I turned to your site and lo and behold, found this delicious cake. It’s in the oven as we speak and my whole apartment smells amazing!
Thank you so much for your blog, your recipes, and your wicked writing style. Hope there’s more to come!
Best wishes,
Elle.
Kristi Z.
Every photo of this post is simply exquisite! I love all of the textures; the wood grain, the powdered sugar. Always lovely.
Jen T.
Hehe, cute post! Did you ever have a teacher that had you write a letter to yourself that they were going to send you? I did, but I thought I was supposed to get the letter when I graduated high school, and I’m now a letter-less senior in college. Oh well…
Also, love the cake, sounds so yummy. And super duper love your measuring cups. They’re from Anthropologie, right? I’m in love with their geese cups, and the Matroyska (sp?) dolls.
tara
just voted for you!
littlelark
I made a groom’s cake for my brother’s wedding this past weekend. I used your recipe for the “best chocolate buttercream” frosting (which it is), to RAVE reviews! Thanks for sharing!!
:)
Vanessa
I hope your life both now and in the future are everything you want it to be.
Alli
Joy I absolutely love your site! You are such a wonderful writer and baker. I agree eggplant tastes pretty good especially if you get it in a dish of Spicy Shrimp & Eggplant from Zen Mei Bistro in Chinatown downtown LA. It’s a small place the locals love and I do too.
I was summoned to your site a few months ago by a recipe for a lemon cake. I was totally mesmerized by the blueberry topping that was decadently drizzled over the top. My foodie senses were on overload.
I am getting more in touch with my future self and remembering my passion. I was doing a job and after the coolness wore off and it stopped being a joy I still kept doing it. So I’m now having to undo all the stuff I created in my body by dragging my feet. So when my body feels better I’m gonna make that wonderful looking lemon cake and your scone recipe too.
Amanda
This is random, but I absolutely LOVE that tree ring board/tray you have in the first picture. Where did you get it?
Nagore
lovely cake…. as usual!! how do you do it to control what you eat? it would be impossible for me!
The Duo Dishes
Awww, the future self. If only we could all see how things go down 20 years from now. Voted for you in Foodbuzz! Good luck!
Sprouted Kitchen
so cute! Not to mention i think thats the kind of curiousity that SO many of us have. We crave wanting to know we are safe. Fact of the matter is, we will be. Cake looks amazing, and you have a bright future my friend!!
Jen-
CONGRATS! You will totally win. Heck, I voted for you and rarely vote for anything! :D
Btw, your future Joy told me to tell you hi…I just had a chat with my future self to see if I get out of this mess I’m living in at the present moment. Future Joy said, ‘hi’ and that we’re buds. LoL.
Take care…and your future will take care of you. *hugs*
Heather
Mom hands? LOL!! Seriously I laughed out loud. I didn’t know anyone else had that saying. I have Mom hands – you can put them in burning hot water and it doesn’t phase you? Or does it mean something different to you? I’m always yelling (!!) at my kids to wash in hot water – and they tell me they are, but it doesn’t “FEEL” hot to me. . . Because of my MOM HANDSD!! :)
Perfect recipe for this time of year – I love apple cake.
And I already voted for you. :)
michelle
its almost 5am and i cant sleep. if it werent weird for people not officially employed as a baker to bake at this time of night/morning i would so be all about making this cake right now. ta joy!
alexis
Joy,
it looks delish and i can’t wait to make it! i love your blog and i absolutely LOVE your measuring cups, please tell me where i can find some like yours!
many thanks!
Nik
My ‘mom hands’ will get to work on this cake as soon as I can get more local apples! YUM! So much to bake, so little time before the final baby boy shows up….only 3 weeks or so left! Thanks Joy, this will be perfect to bake, freeze, thaw and offer to the visitors that stop by to see the little one. Sending love from chilly Cleveland. *hugs*
Rachel
i can’t believe you don’t like eggplant! but this cake looks amazing–i’ll have to try it soon!
Chanina
Mom hands? I didn’t know there were… I REALLY want mom hands :(
Past/present/future me loves eggplant! Maybe you will too? just roast it up a bit, slather on some Tahini, or slices on a pizza? I know you’ll like it…?
This apple cake sounds DIVINE! Boyfriend over here loves apple cake and I love spice so it’s a perfect match, will try it this weekend! (I’m going to add a LOT of ginger though…!)
Linds
Hah!
Not sure I’ll ever stop buying cheap mascara.
Congrats on the nomination!
-Linds
Deanna
You totally crack me up – and mom hands are great! I love the wood cutting board(I assume its a cutting board), I would love to know where you got it.
Have a great day! Going to vote for you right now.
Libby
This cake looks incredible! Very festive for the fall season! Congrats on being a nominee on Foodbuzz. You have my vote :)
Shauna from Piece of Cake
Oh, good Lord. Well, if that isn’t autumn in Bundt form, then I don’t know what is.
And thanks so much for making me call attention to my own Mom hands. Wow. Turns out it only took one year, who knew? Desperately in need of a paraffin treatment. Maybe after I change a few more diapers and give a few more baths to clean applesauce out of little ears and cook a few more 1/4 ounce portions of penne because my child won’t eat leftovers.
I really need a hunk of that cake. Like now.
Laura Flowers
Thank-you for leaving a comment on my blog! It was neat to see one from “Joy the Baker”. :)
Your spiced apple cake looks absolutly wonderful by the way.
Laura
Alejandro Segura
Can’t wait to try baking (and savouring) it…!!!
Megan
This cake is pretty and perfectly fall.
I think I want to sliver my way through the whole thing, please.
Jade @ No Longer 25
Hi Joy,
I think your blog is fabulous and I’m totally going to try your peanut butter and bacon cookies really soon! I’ve given you a blog award over at my blog because I love reading your posts and staring at your amazing food photos!
Jade
Jennifer
I have the need to bake a little something and this will be it. Thanks!
Hänni
Hello Joy of the present. I just had my first taste of apple sour cream bundt cake last night at a friends house. It was divine. The only thing missing? Witty commentary to a future self for accompaniment. Cute post.
peachkins
that’s a cute measuring cup!
Singapore Short Stories
I am fully satisfied with this post!
danielle
i’m with you on the eggplant. i don’t even need to ask my future self if she’ll like eggplant, i know it will never happen.
your measuring bowls are absolutely adorable! please tell me you got them somewhere that i could find them also?
ABowlOfMush
This looks absolutely gorgeous. I want a slice now!
Lauren
That looks delicious! Also, how could I not vote for a blog that keeps my appetite up and raring to go with beautiful pictures, stunning receipt and plenty of sugar?
TheWoman
Loving the blast from the future. :-) You’ve got my vote for sure!
linda
kudos on foodbuzz!!
this recipe is a winner!
i am so excited to create your creation…just bought a new 9″ spring form so i am ready &… needless to say…i LOVE the props!!
Ali
Oooh, what is with that slab of tree? I’ve gotta have it! And that cute measuring cup, oiy! What’s that? oh, yeah the cake looks delicious to me. I think it will make the perfect breakfast. In my world cake=breakfast!
I also agree that eggplant gets a bad wrap. I have a great recipe for eggplant that you put over rice. Most people don’t even know that it’s eggplant. Does that defeat the purpose?
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is
I love apple cake and have yet to find a great recipe. I’m gonna give this one a shot. Congrats on your nomination! :)
Sophia
Oooh I can’t wait to make this! We have SO many apples from our annual apple-picking trip; I always need another way to get them in the oven. Thanks for the recipe!
Kristin @ Iowa Girl Eats
Oh my – another one of your fabulous recipes that’s getting starred in my reader!!
I just had a spiced apple cake at a wedding I went to this weekend and I haven’t stopped thinking about it since… It had a nice, sweetened cream cheese frosting on it – to die for! Can’t wait to give your recipe a whirl.
maybelles mom
I think eggplant gets a bad wrap, way bad. try it spiced indian style…
but as to the cake, looks lovely.