Keeping The Dr. Away

Have you heard?

An apple a day keeps the doctor away.

What I've obviously not made clear to my family...

is that the apples must be eaten.

How I came to have fifteen old bruised apples on my counter, I'm not sure.

A Costco run perhaps?

Happy bright red apples that camouflaged some major bruising beneath?

Maybe.

Regardless.

I was not going to throw these in the garbage.

I couldn't do it.

It was just too wasteful.

But we are not prolific pork chop eaters.

And I just couldn't justify an ice cream pail full of apple sauce.

I knew my efforts would end up in the freezer and a year down the road 

would find the same fate I was trying to avoid today.

So I did what any mother does in emergency situations.

I googled.

And I'm happy to report I found a gem my friends.

It's called Mom's Apple Cake, from a little food blog I had heard about but never really visited.

It's called Smitten Kitchen.

And what a treat.... 

She is as interesting to read as the recipes are delicious.

I was able to use my apples, with very simple ingredients.

The only thing I didn't have was orange juice.

But that wasn't a problem...

because I just happened to have several old withered oranges in the fruit bowl...

hidden under all the withered apples.

Hmmm....?

 

Miss Smitten claimed that:

"chocolate-obsessed/fruit dessert non-believers
crumble upon trying a single slice of it."

Chocolate obsessed?

Preaching to the choir here...

With that I had to give it a try.

It did not disappoint.

A coffee cake perfect for afternoon tea with your lady friends
while they work on their needlepoint?

OH YES!

Gobbling it down at midnight with a big cup of milk while quietly trying to shut the fridge door?

DEFINITELY!

A proper dessert warmed up with some caramel drizzle and whipped cream?

JUST CALL ME MARTHA!

And for those wondering how I know this?

I have to come clean...

After returning to my no sugar ways a few days ago.

I relented and had a slice.

I did it for you.

I did it for my children.

Besides....

there are five whole apples in this cake.

For my own health and well being, 

I knew that keeping the doctor away was a gift I was willing to sacrifice myself for.

Plus when I told the girls that instead of their usual apple...
they could have a slice of Apple cake in their lunches.

This was their response.

I knew I hadn't made my sacrifice in vain.

Enjoy your apples...

You can click on to the amazing food blog Smitten Kitchen HERE

and the wonderful printable mom's apple cake recipe HERE

You can thank me later.

I'm already looking forward to all the wonderful needlepoint in my mailbox ; )

xoxo,