Eggs in Purgatory

Ever since she published her first cookbook, I have been a loyal fan of Ina Garten aka the Barefoot Contessa. From her elegant, yet simple approach to entertaining to her seriously delicious, impressive, timeless recipes, I am guessing I am not the only Ina wanna be out there. Who doesn't want to be the hostess creating the most inviting table and serving beautiful, soul satisfying food? While some of her recipes may have long (but accessible) ingredient lists, others fall into the category of 'semi-homemade'. Yet, both consistently deliver big on flavor and have that 'wow-factor' quality. So when her newest cookbook "Go-to Dinners" came out this month, I could barely contain my excitement. 

Somehow when Ina gives 'breakfast as dinner' her blessing, it's as if the permission slip you have been waiting for your entire life has been handed to you on a silver platter. When I saw her recipe for 'Easy Eggs in Purgatory' I knew it was about to become one of my new favorite breakfast and dinner staples. 

Unlike other Eggs in Purgatory recipes out there, this one uses both a store-bought jar of arrabbiata sauce (Rao's, of course) and fresh ingredients. Pure genius! If there was ever a recipe to make you always want to have jars of arrabbiata sauce, sweet onions, extra-large eggs, garlic and Pecorino cheese on hand, this would be the one!

Sautéing a thinly sliced sweet (or yellow) onion in olive oil until lightly golden (about 6-8 minutes) in a ten inch heavy bottomed skillet pan is the first step in creating this deeply flavorful Eggs in Purgatory. After briefly cooking a minced garlic clove, the arrabbiata sauce, Aleppo pepper, and sprig of fresh rosemary are added in and cooked over medium-low heat for about 5 minutes. At this point the aroma in your house will be beyond intoxicating. 

Before adding in the extra-large eggs (Ina almost always uses only extra-large eggs), briefly remove the pan from the heat. Having your eggs cracked and in small (3-4 inch sized) bowls makes adding in the eggs easier. Use the edge of the bowl to make a well in the sauce before carefully pouring the egg in (be careful not to break the yolks!). Once all of the eggs are added in, return the pan to the heat, cover and cook over medium-low heat for 5-7 minutes. The eggs whites should be set, but the yolks should still be slightly runny. Sprinkle over one tablespoon of the Pecorino cheese, some flaky sea salt, and black pepper. Cover and cook for about one more minute. 

Remove from the heat, sprinkle on the remaining 1-2 Tablespoons of Pecorino cheese and chopped parsley and serve with some thickly sliced toasted bread (use a hearty bread, like a sourdough or country loaf).

Then get ready to dig in to the best-ever Eggs in Purgatory! The arrabbiata sauce, Aleppo pepper and garlic bring some heat and spice to the dish. But not too much heat, as the sautéed onions, fresh herbs, and Pecorino cheese help to round out all of the flavors of this incredibly mouthwatering dish. 

If you are looking for a fabulous, easy to make breakfast, dinner or late night dish, these hard to resist Eggs in Purgatory should be at the top of your list! They are seriously, must be put on regular repeat good. Or rather I should say wicked good. Eggs for dinner never tasted this good. It feels like both comfort and gourmet food all at the same time. It just also now happens to be my new favorite dish!

Recipe

Eggs in Purgatory (an ever so slight adaptation to Ina Garten's Easy Eggs in Purgatory recipe)

Serves 3-4

Ingredients

1 Tablespoon good quality olive oil

1 large sweet or yellow onion, thinly sliced

1 garlic clove, minced

1 (24 ounce) jar Rao's Arrabbiata Sauce (yields two cups)

1/8 teaspoon Aleppo pepper or red pepper flakes

1 sprig of fresh rosemary (about 6-7 inches)

5-6 extra large eggs

2-3 Tablespoons freshly grated Pecorino Cheese (divided)

Flaky sea salt (e.g., Maldon)

2 teaspoons minced fresh parsley

3-5 slices, thickly cut sourdough or country bread, toasted

Black pepper

Directions

1. Crack the eggs and place in small (4 inch bowls). Set aside. Note: Custard cups work well.

2. Heat one tablespoon of good quality olive oil in a heavy bottomed (10 inch) pan. Add in the thinly sliced onions and cook over medium to medium-low heat for 6-8 minutes until tender and lightly golden. Stir the onions occasionally while they are cooking.

3. Add in the minced garlic and cook for about one minute.

4. Add in the arrabbiata sauce, Aleppo pepper and rosemary spring. Cook over medium low heat for about 5 minutes. Remove the rosemary sprig.

5. Remove the pan from the heat (temporarily). Using the edge of the bowl, make a slight indentation in the sauce as you carefully pour the egg in. Space out the eggs so they don't 'bleed' into each other.

6. Return the pan to the heat, place the lid on the pan and cook for 5-7 minutes or until the egg whites are set but the yolks still look runny.

7. Sprinkle on 1 Tablespoon of the Pecorino cheese and season with Flaky sea salt and black pepper. Put the lid back on and cook for 1 additional minute.

8. Remove from the heat, sprinkle with the remaining 1-2 Tablespoons of cheese and chopped parsley.

9. Serve in bowls with thickly sliced pieces of toasted bread.

Notes: (1) I made a few subtle changes to Ina's recipe (sacrilegious I know). I used a sweet onion rather than a yellow onion; Aleppo pepper instead of red pepper flakes, and increased the amount of Pecorino cheese (because there is no such thing as too much good cheese). (2) Definitely use extra-large eggs for this dish. (3) Use a sauté pan with a tight fitting lid, preferably one made of cast iron. I used a Staub cast iron pan. (4) You can make this with as few as 4 eggs, but strongly recommend making with 5 to 6 eggs.

End of season hydrangeas on Nantucket (October 2022)

Rotel Queso

 

There is something magical about experiencing the fall season out east when colors are at their peak. Especially when you get the chance to share one of your 'happy places' with really good friends. The four mile bridge run in Newport, Rhode Island was what prompted a glorious, memorable, fun, story-filled five day adventure. But the race was just an excuse for a getaway to visit some places three of my friends had never been before. Having lived on the east coast for several years, I served as the unofficial 'tour guide' (the perfect role for my Type A personality) while Mother Nature provided us with five days of the most exquisite fall weather. Our travels took us to the southern part of Maine, Nantucket, and Newport. All places having their own unique charm, beauty, and history. Our last meal before heading back home was at a classic Italian restaurant on Federal Hill in Providence. The food, the ambiance, and the impeccable service could not have been a more flawless finish to our epic adventure. I am almost certain we would all go back in heartbeat. 

As much as I loved being away, I am super excited to share the recipe for this Rotel Queso. The first time I learned about Rotel was when I lived in Jackson, Mississippi during the mid 80s. Someone brought in to the office (that was a place and thing back then) something they called a Rotel Dip. Served warm, it was made with a can of Rotel Tomatoes and melted Velveeta Cheese. I had wondered how it was that I had lived 'Rotel Dip' clueless for decades. This version takes the 'back of can recipe' for Rotel Dip to the next level. It's the chunkiest, cheesiest, heartiest, spiciest, most irresistible version. In other words, it's wickedly delicious.

On a scale of 1 to 10 in terms of the time, effort and skill needed to make this Rotel Queso it's definitely a 1. But it's a 9, quite possibly a 10 on the cheesy dip scale!

Ground sirloin is browned and left slightly chunky before the ground Chipotle Chile, garlic powder and onion powder are mixed in. Allowing the spices to cook with the browned meat for about a minute makes this Rotel Queso even more flavorful. 

The entire can of Rotel (do not drain) and the cubed Velveeta go in last. Over medium-low heat, the queso cooks until the cheese has melted. The mixture will be luxuriously thick and creamy.

As soon as the queso comes together, transfer it to a serving dish or dishes. Garnish with some chopped cherry tomatoes and cilantro. Then surround with your favorite tortilla chips (thicker chips work better than thin ones). Serve the Rotel Queso immediately as it's intended to be served warm.

This Rotel Queso is destined to be a huge hit with your family and friends! It's the perfect excuse for having a gathering.

I find it hard to resist an almost effortless to make, uber delicious queso. But this Rotel Queso may rank up there as one of the most irresistible! The ratios of spices to meat to cheese is nothing short of queso perfection. So invent a reason to invite over your friends and serve them a bowl of warm Rotel Queso and large handfuls of tortilla chips. It will be definitely be a memorable gathering.

Recipe

Rotel Queso

Serves 6-8 as a hearty appetizer or 8-10 as a light appetizer

Ingredients

1 pound (457g) ground sirloin (90/10 mixture)

1 1/2 teaspoons ground chipotle chile

1 teaspoon onion powder

2 teaspoons garlic powder

18 ounces (510g) Velveeta Cheese, cubed

1 can (10oz) Rotel (original)

Tortilla Chips

Directions

1. In a heavy bottomed skillet, cook the ground sirloin until browned, breaking it up while cooking (but still leaving some chunks). Time: About 8-10 minutes.

2. Add in the ground chipotle chile, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir to combine. Cook for about 1 minute.

3. Add in the cubed Velveeta and Rotel. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook until the cheese completely melts. Time: About 5-6 minutes.

4. Immediately transfer the Rotel Queso to a serving dish.

5. Top with chopped tomatoes and cilantro.

6. Serve with your favorite tortilla chips. Enjoy immediately.

Notes: (1) Store any leftover Rotel Queso covered in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. It can be reheated in the microwave or over low heat on the stove. (2) Highly recommend using a ground sirloin as it has a lower fat content, yielding less fat when cooked. If using a higher protein to fat ratio beef (e.g., 85/15 you may need to drain the fat before adding the spices). (3) You can reheat any leftovers in the microwave or over low heat in a pan. (4) If you serve the Rotel Queso with a big bowl of homemade guacamole you have the makings of light supper!

Warren's Beach, Little Compton, RI (October 2022)

S'mores Cookie Dough Pie a la Mode

 

For the record, there is no such thing as having too many great cookie, pie, or dessert recipes. No one ever said there should be limits put on anything destined to tantalize or satisfy a sweet tooth. Maybe there are only self-imposed limits on how much or how often we indulge ourselves in the world of decadence. Maybe. I seem to recall to reading somewhere there are proven health benefits to having a piece of (dark) chocolate daily. While we can't believe always believe everything Google or social media tells us or jump on every viral trend or bandwagon (no butter boards here please), we can probably all convince ourselves there is really scientific evidence validating (dark) chocolate as a miracle food. Which means every dessert made with chocolate is one we should never shy away from. I am absolutely certain I could also find some evidence, somewhere that the kind of chocolate doesn't really matter.

Typically when we think of s'mores, we envision slightly softened chocolate and a perfectly toasted marshmallow oozing between two squares of graham crackers. And for the most part we associate them with the summer and fall seasons. But cravings for s'mores can be hard to ignore or even pigeon-hole into a seasonal compliance-only confection. Taking the concept of a s'more and turning into a warm, gooey, decadent cookie pie borders on a kind of brilliance s'mores lovers around the world not only understand, but completely embrace. Which is exactly why we all should be happy that it's possible to have this (maybe even better than s'mores) S'mores Cookie Dough Pie a la Mode in our lives all year long!

There are multiple versions of recipes for s'mores done in skillets or pie dishes. But none compare to this one! 

What makes these S'mores Cookie Dough Pies so deeply flavorful is the use both light and dark brown sugars, rather than a combination of granulated and brown sugars. Oversized milk chocolate chips ensure there is a taste of chocolate in every bite. Alternately you could chop up some milk chocolate (the Pound Plus Bars from Trader Joe's would be great too). When you combine chocolate with coarsely crushed graham cracker crumbs and mini-marshmallows you end up with something that will remind you of s'mores. Although when s'mores ingredients are combined with cookie dough ingredients you may never want a traditional s'more again!

The batter will be and should be very thick. To assemble the pies, begin with dividing the dough into six equal parts. Press one part into each tart pan, sprinkle with some marshmallows, then top with another part of dough. Press the dough down lightly and top with some more marshmallows, chocolate chips, and a sprinkling of flaky sea salt. 

In a preheated 350 degree (F) oven, the pies bake for 20-25 minutes or until lightly golden and slightly charred marshmallows. For the gooiest s'mores pie, bake for somewhere between 20-22 minutes. For a slightly less gooey texture, bake for 22-25 minutes. Note: As the s'mores pies rest for 10 minutes before serving, they will continue to bake. So err closer to the 21-23 minute mark.

Topping each S'mores Cookie Dough Pie with a large scoop of vanilla ice cream makes this dessert even more irresistible! The combination of cool, creamy vanilla ice cream and a decadent gooey s'mores cookie dough takes each bite to a whole new level of swoonworthy dessert magnificence! And making the S'mores Cookie Dough Pie a la Mode in three 6" pie dishes creates the perfect 'a made for two' shareable dessert. 

Goodness knows why it took me this long to come up with this scrumptious, decadent, be still my heart S'mores Cookie Dough Pie a la Mode. If there was ever a recipe for a four star restaurant quality dessert, this would be THE one! Which makes it one you definitely want to serve at your next gathering or dinner party. I guarantee everyone will be obsessed with them!

Recipe

S'mores Cookie Dough Pie a la Mode

Makes 3 - 6" pies or 1 9" pie

Serves 6 to 12

Ingredients

1/2 cup (125g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled

1/2 cup (105g) light brown sugar (firmly packed)

1/2 cup (105g) dark brown sugar (firmly. packed)

1 large egg

2 teaspoons vanilla

1 1/2 cups (204g) all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt

1 1/2 cups (271g) milk chocolate chips or chopped milk chocolate, divided (could also use dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate)

3 graham cracker sheets (46g), coarsely crushed

2 cups (128g) mini marshmallows, divided

Flaky sea salt (e.g., Maldon)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F). Set 3  - 6" pie dishes aside. Or alternately use a 9" cast iron skillet or beautiful 9" ceramic (not glass) pie dish.

2. In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine the light brown sugar, the dark brown sugar, and melted melted. Beat on medium speed for at least 2 minutes.

3. Add in the egg and vanilla. Mix to combine.

4. Add in the flour, baking soda, baking powder and Kosher salt. Mix just until partially blended (you will see streaks of flour).

5. Add in 1 1/4 cups (226g) of the milk chocolate chips and the coarsely crushed graham crackers. On low-medium speed, mix to fully blend.

6. Add in 1/3 of the mini marshmallows. Mix on low to combine. Note: The dough will be very thick.

7. If using the 6" pie dishes, divide the dough equally in six large scoops. Place one scoop in each pie plate. Press down. Evenly divide 1/3 of the mini marshmallows between the dishes and sprinkle on top the bottom layer of dough. Top each pie dish with the three remaining pieces of dough. Press dough down lightly.

8. Sprinkle the remaining 1/3 of the mini marshmallows and the 1/4 cup of milk chocolate chips over the top. Press down lightly. Note: If using a 9" cast iron skillet, divide the dough in half. Press half into the skillet, top evenly with 1/3 of the mini marshmallows. Top with remaining dough. Press down lightly. Evenly divide the remaining mini marshmallows and 1/4 of the milk chocolate chips over the top.

9. Lightly sprinkle flaky sea salt over each s'mores cookie dough pie or over the 9" cast iron pan or ceramic pie dish.

10. Put the pie dishes on a heavy bottomed baking sheet and place in the oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes until lightly golden. Note: If you like a more gooey cookie, bake closer to the 20-22 minute mark. If you like a more cookie textured cookie, bake for 23-25 minutes. Highly recommend the gooier texture!

11. Remove from the oven. Transfer the pie dishes to a cooling rack. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

12. Top each s'mores cookie dough pie with a generous scoop of a high quality vanilla ice cream. Pass out spoons so everyone can dig in!

Notes: (1) I used Guittard's Milk Chocolate Chips because they are a more substantially size morsel. I usually find them at World Market. If you can't find them, recommend chopping up some milk chocolate. I like the Pound Plus milk chocolate bars from Trader Joe's. (2) The pie tart dishes are from TR Pottery in Fish Creek, Wisconsin. You can find a link to their website here. (3) You can make and assemble the s'mores cookie dough early in the day and bake later for dessert. Just let your pie dishes sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before putting in a hot oven.

Sunrise and Sunset, Egg Harbor, Door County, Wisconsin (September 2022)

Apple Fritter Skillet Cake

A few months back a new donut shop opened in the center of town. Which happens to be about a mile from where I live. I have yet to taste a donut that disappointed my fussy donut palate. In other words, all of the donuts are all really, really, really good, but there is one donut in particular that is dangerously good. You might already have a really good idea as to which donut that might be. If you guessed the Apple Fritter Donut you would be right! In all honesty, it has taken a significant amount of restraint to turn my weekly trip to the donut shop into a daily one. After the third or fourth apple fritter (not all in one sitting and not all in one week thank goodness), I was again inspired to make my own apple fritters. However, after looking a bajillion recipes, I remembered why I have yet to make homemade apple fritters. While there are some baked apple fritter recipes out there, the majority of them call for the apple laden batter to be deep fried. I have always been a reluctant 'fryer'. Which explains why there haven't been any homemade apple fritters coming out of my kitchen. But while driving home from a short trip up to Door County for my birthday, I had an epiphany. I also happened to have a very large bag of Honey Crisp apples (picked up at one of the many Door County apple orchards) in my trunk. Could an apple fritter cake be as good (possibly even better than) as a deep fried apple fritter? Could such a cake have all of the flavor, texture and oompf as a deep fried apple fritter And most importantly, could it be one that could satisfy my almost insatiable cravings for an apple fritter? My guesses were yes, yes, and yes!

If you ever go down the apple fritter cake or apple fritter skillet cake rabbit hole, you will discover there are essentially two different kinds of 'fritter' cakes. Ones made with refrigerated biscuits and ones made from scratch. I decided taking the homemade path would get me closer to experiencing apple fritter nirvana. Along with helping to curtail my trips to the donut shop in town. 

In addition to diced, sautéed Honey Crisp apples, the cake is made with some chunky applesauce. The combination of these two ingredients help to give the cake a great apple flavor and texture. Cinnamon, nutmeg, light brown sugar, dark brown sugar, and butter help to create a deeply spiced, perfectly sweet, luscious, buttery cake. One destined to elicit rave reviews whether you serve it for breakfast, brunch, as an mid-morning, afternoon, or late-night snack, or at a gathering of friends. With apples currently in season and fall temperatures looming nearby, I hope this Apple Fritter Skillet Cake becomes an immediate baking priority in your life. Especially if you consider yourself an apple fritter fanatic and don't happen to live in a town with a donut shop.

The cake has three different components: the sautéed, diced apples; the cake batter; and, the icing. The cast iron pan used to sauté the apples is the same one used to bake the cake. Both the cake batter and icing are made in bowls using whisks. If the simplicity of this recipe doesn't entice you to make this delectable cake, the anticipation of a moist, spice cake, destined to make any apple fritter lover swoon should.

Hands down, the best apple to use in this Apple Fritter Skillet Cake is the Honey. Crisp! Not because they happen to be my most favorite apple, but because they are sweet, crisp, and transform into tender bites when baked. You will need about 4 medium sized (or 3 larger sized) Honey Crisps to get four heaping filled cups of half-inch peeled and diced apples. Once the diced apples are sautéed in butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and a pinch of Kosher salt, temporarily transfer them to a bowl. Then remove one cup of the apples and about four tablespoons of the syrup to use to top the cake batter. The remaining three cups and syrup will get mixed into the very thick cake batter.

For the prettiest presentation and best bake, I highly recommend using a 11" to 12" cake iron pan (I used this 30cm cake iron pan from Staub). Baking time will range from 25 to 35 minutes depending on the size of your pan. However, I encourage you to begin checking for doneness at the 25 minute mark. The glaze gets poured on the warm (but not hot) apple fritter cake about 10 minutes after the cake comes out of the oven. Some of the glaze will melt into the warm cake and some will remain on top, giving it that gorgeous apple fritter 'please eat me' finished look! 

If you love Honey Crisp apples, comfort food, apple fritters, the fall season, sweet things, or simple delicious food, you are going to be smitten with this Apple Fritter Skillet Cake. There may be no better way to welcome in the arrival of the fall and Honey Crisp apple seasons than with a generous wedge of this buttery spiced apple cake. Okay, maybe the occasion calls for at least two slices!

Recipe

Apple Fritter Skillet Cake

Serves 8-12, depending on how you slice it.

Ingredients

Cake

4 heaping cups (1 lb. 3 oz/539) peeled, half inch diced Honey Crisp Apples (from about 4 medium sized or 3 large apples) - divided after being sautéed

3 Tablespoons unsalted butter

1/2 cup (100g) light brown sugar

1 slightly heaping teaspoon cinnamon

Pinch of Kosher salt

2 1/2 cups (336g) all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt

3/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly

1/2 cup (100g) light brown sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla

2 large eggs, room temperature

1/2 cup (120g) chunky applesauce, organic, if possible (see notes)

1/2 cup whole milk

1 Tablespoon dark brown sugar

Icing

2 cups (220g) confectionary sugar, sifted

1/4 cup whole milk

Directions

Apples, Cake and Icing

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees (F).

2. In an 11" to 12" cast iron skillet, melt 3 Tablespoons of butter.

3. Add in the diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and pinch of Kosher salt. Cook over medium-high heat until the apples are tender and the butter and sugar are syrupy (about 8-10 minutes).

4. Remove the sautéed apples and syrup from the pan (but remember you are going to bake the cake in this pan so keep it off the heat on the stovetop). Remove 1 cup of the apples and about 4 Tablespoons of the syrup. Set aside.

5. In a medium sized bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, Kosher salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Set aside.

6. In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, apple sauce and brown sugar until well blended.

7. Whisk in the applesauce, eggs, and vanilla until fully incorporated.

8. Whisk in dry ingredients. Midway through mixing, when the batter starts coming together, add in the milk. When fully incorporated used a spatula to mix in the reserved 3 cups of sautéed apples and any remaining syrup. Pour into the same cast iron pan used to cook the apples. 

9. Top the cake with the reserved 1 cup of sautéed apples and 4 Tablespoons of syrup. Sprinkle the 1 Tablespoon of dark brown sugar over the top.

10. Place pan in the oven and bake for 25-35 minutes. Check for doneness at 25 minutes.

11. When done, remove the pan from oven and set on a cooling rack for 10 minutes.

12. While the cake is cooling, whisk together the confectionary sugar and milk until smooth. Drizzle the icing over the still warm (but not too hot) cake.

13. Enjoy generous slices of the cake warm or at room temperature. It's delicious both ways. But if you have any leftovers, heat a slice in the microwave (the icing will melt into the fritter cake) to get that out of the oven taste.

14. Cover leftovers and store at room temperature for up to a day. After that, cover and refrigerate. 

Notes: (1) This cake was meant to be made and served in a cast iron pan. If by chance you don't have one, you can bake in 9"x12" baking dish. The apples should then be sautéed in a separate skillet. (2) I think smaller Honey Crisp apples are a little sweeter and crisper than large ones. So I recommend buying medium sized apples for baking. (3) If you can't find chunky applesauce, use regular applesauce.

Apple Orchard, Door County, Wisconsin (September 2022)

Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Chunky Apple Cake (Bars)

Sometimes my cravings for certain foods can be quite predictable. When traveling out west, I crave bison burgers. When traveling out east, especially when in Maine, I have an insatiable craving for a lobster roll (because in all seriousness Maine's lobster rolls are the best). And when apple season arrives in the midwest, my sweet tooth cravings shift from anything made with chocolate to pretty much anything made with apples. From apple fritters, to apple dumplings, to apple crisp, to apple cider doughnuts, to caramel apple dutch babies, to now this Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Chunky Apple Cake (Bars), fall means the onset of apple heaven. It took awhile, but for reasons I don't really understand, some of my food cravings have finally aligned with seasonal bounties. With exceptions, of course. 

In spite of the fact that apples are available year round, fall apples, especially ones hand picked at an apple orchard, seem to be most flavorful. Which means when used in anything either sweet or savory, simple, ordinary things taste extraordinary. While the thought of having a slice of apple cake doesn't necessarily cause one to drool in anticipation, an apple cake topped with homemade salted caramel sauce and cream cheese icing just might. Somewhere between a moist cake and rich bars, these Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Chunky Apple Cake (Bars) are scrumptiously droolworthy. I might go so far as to say they are a bit decadent, thanks in large part to the luscious cream cheese icing and buttery caramel sauce. 

In spite of having three different components, these Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Chunky Apple Cake (Bars) are relatively easy to make. Being able to make the salted caramel sauce early in the day or even the day before makes them even easier.

Due it's longer baking time, sweet, tart Granny Smith apples are the perfect choice here. In addition to keeping their shape, they transform into bites of melt in your mouth tender toothsomeness. Once peeled and cored, the granny smith apples are first cut into quarters, then horizontally into generous 1/8" thick slices.

When the sliced apples and chopped walnuts are added to the batter, you might question whether the ratio of apples/nuts to batter is off. But it isn't. However, when pressing the apple batter mixture into your 9"x13" or 9"x12" metal pan (lined with parchment paper), make sure to evenly distribute the batter and apples. In a preheated 350 degree (F) oven, the chunky apple cake (bars) bake for 48-55 minutes. If a wooden toothpick inserted into the cake (bars) comes out clean and the puffed up top is golden, your cake (bars) is done. Remove from the oven and transfer the pan to a cooling rack. Let cool completely before slathering on the cream cheese icing. Note: The cake can be make early in the day, left uncovered, and iced just before you are ready to serve.

Once you make and taste this easy version of a salted caramel sauce you will think twice before buying a store bought caramel sauce. In addition to using it on this chunky apple cake (bars), you can drizzle it over ice cream, brownies, apple pie, apple dutch babies, and an endless list of desserts. For this caramel sauce you do not need a candy thermometer! After the sugar and water have been combined in a heavy bottomed saucepan and the sugar dissolves, the butter is added. For the smoothes caramel sauce ever, you will need to keep the mixture at a steady boil for 12-15 minutes (or until it becomes a deep amber color) and not stir it. But don't walk away. As soon as sauce reaches the desired color (the darker the color the deeper the flavor), remove from the heat and whisk in the heavy cream. The mixture may splash up a bit, but keep whisking until the heavy cream is fully blended. Finish with whisking in the vanilla and flaky sea salt. The amount of flaky sea salt you add depends on 'salty' you want your sauce. After pouring the finished salted caramel sauce into a heatproof jar (I like using Weck canning jars) let the sauce cool before spooning on top of the cream cheese icing. Note: The sauce can be made the day ahead, covered and kept in the refrigerator until ready to use.

I couldn't decide whether to call this scrumptious dessert a Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Chunky Apple Cake or Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Chunky Apple Bars because it has elements of both cake and bars. I will let you decide to what to call them after you taste them. However, I am confident you will be calling them repetition worthy. 

This Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Chunky Apple Cake (Bars) is perfect for weekend gatherings, book club meetings, brunches, anytime you have a craving for an apple dessert, or long to have your house filled with the blissful aroma of cinnamon and baked apples. Happy fall apple season!

Recipe

Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Chunky Apple Cake (Bars)

Serves 12-18, depending on how you slice it

Ingredients

Salted Caramel Sauce

1 cup (200g) granulated sugar

1/2 cup water

1/4 cup (56g) unsalted butter

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

2 teaspoons vanilla

1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon flaky sea salt

Cream Cheese Icing

8 ounces (256g) cream cheese, room temperature

1/4 cup (56g) unsalted butter, room temperature

1 1/2 cups (195g) confectionary sugar, sifted

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/8 teaspoon Kosher salt

Chunky Apple Cake (Bars)

2 cups (264g) all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon Kosher salt

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled

2 cups (400g) granulated sugar

2 large eggs, room temperature

1 teaspoon vanilla

3 medium sized Granny Smith apples (289g), peeled, cored, cut into quarters and sliced horizontally into generous 1/8th inch thick slices

1 cup (100g) walnut halves, toasted, then chopped

Cream Cheese Icing

8 ounces (256g) cream cheese, room temperature

1/4 cup (56g) unsalted butter, room temperature

1 1/2 cups (195g) confectionary sugar, sifted

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/8 teaspoon Kosher salt

Directions

Salted Caramel Sauce

1. In a medium sized heavy bottomed saucepan, cook the sugar and water over medium heat until the sugar is completely dissolved.

2. Add in the butter, allowing it to melt (do not stir).

3. Bring the mixture to a boil and continue cooking (without stirring) for 12-15 minutes or until the mixture has a deep amber color.

4. Remove the saucepan from the heat and carefully pour in the heavy cream (it may splash up) whisking as you pour in the cream. 

5. When the cream is fully blended in, add in the vanilla and flaky sea salt. 

6. Allow the salted caramel sauce to rest several minutes before pouring into a heat proof jar. 

7. As the sauce cools it will thicken (it will seem thin when you pour it in the jar). 

8. Once cooled it is ready to use.

9. Store leftovers (and there will be leftovers!) covered in the refrigerator. It will be good for up to two weeks (but it won't last that long). 

Cream Cheese Icing

1. In a medium sized bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter together using a handheld mixer until smooth and creamy. 

2. Add in the sifted confectionary sugar, vanilla, and salt. Beat until creamy. 

3. Use immediately or cover and keep chilled in the refrigerator until ready to use. If the icing firms up too much in the refrigerator, give it a quick beating.

Chunky Apple Cake (Bars)

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees (F). Line a 9"x13" or 9"x12" metal pan with parchment paper. Set aside.

2. Sift together the flour, baking soda, Kosher salt, and cinnamon. Set aside.

3. Using a handheld mixer, mix the melted butter, sugar, and eggs together until well blended.

4. Add the flour mixture to the batter. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to stir to blend.

5. Stir in the sliced apples and chopped walnuts. Batter will be very thick.

6. Spread the batter evenly in the pan.

7. Place the baking pan on a baking sheet and bake for 48-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. The finished cake should be slightly puffed and golden.

8. Remove from the oven and place the pan on a cooling rack. Allow the cake to cool completely before icing.

9. When the cake is cooled to room temperature, slather the cream cheese icing evenly over the top.

10. Drop spoonfuls of the salted caramel sauce over the cream cheese icing. Use a knife to swirl the caramel sauce into the icing.  Note: I dropped somewhere between 16-18 spoonfuls of the caramel sauce over the cream cheese icing, spacing them out to better create a swirled design.

11. Cut the Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Chunky Apple Cake (Bars) into squares or bars. 

12. Store leftovers in the refrigerator. 

Notes: (1) Three medium sized granny smith apples will weigh slightly under a pound. Weigh your apples before you peel and core them.