Let them eat cake

Sorting out the freezer, I found a mysterious Chinese takeaway container - it was unlabelled and contained something unidentifiable. I was reluctant to just chuck it away, and at Bob's suggestion, I let it thaw out - and found it was applesauce. I remembered then that I had a load of apples going soft earlier in the year and I had stewed them, and Liz had sent me this [very easy] cake recipe. I'd frozen one cupful of the sauce in order to make it again. I used natural yogurt, but had no allspice, so omitted that.

Here it is...

Liz's Easy Applesauce Streusel Coffee Cake

Cake:
**¼ cup sour cream/crème fraiche/yogurt
1 tsp vanilla
1 large egg

1 ½ cups plain flour
1tsp baking powder       2tsp cinnamon
½ tsp allspice
¾ cup packed light brown sugar
½ cup melted butter
¾ cup applesauce/pear puree

Streusel
¼ cup plain flour
¼ cup brown sugar
¼ cup granulated sugar
¼ tsp cinnamon
grating of fresh nutmeg (1/8 tsp)
4 tbsp cold butter
¼ cup chopped nuts (don’t need to toast)

Preheat oven to 180c. Grease & flour a 9 inch round springform pan or an 8 inch square metal pan.

In a medium mixing bowl, thoroughly stir together flour, soda, cinnamon, allspice and brown sugar; set aside. In a large bowl, mix melted butter, applesauce, (sour cream,) vanilla and egg. Add the dry ingredients to the liquid ingredients and stir until mixed. Pour into pan.

Make streusel. In a mixing bowl or food processor, mix together all dry ingredients then cut in butter. Sprinkle over top of cake. Sprinkle nuts over top of streusel. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown around edges.

Cool slightly. Remove sides of pan, cut into triangles. Serves 6-8

** Can omit and use 1 whole cup applesauce. 1 cup = 250ml

Once Bob gets back from his latest meeting, we shall each have a mug of coffee and a slice of cake. The mugs are HUGE  - they are the freebies we got in May from the Christian Resources Exhibition.

Feeling very excited because I have just realised that this time next week I shall be in London WITH BOTH MY GIRLS!  Steph changes departments at work next week - and Liz is about to change jobs, so no doubt they both will have loads of news.

Here is Psalm 127 from 'The Message' celebrating the joys of children!

If God doesn't build the house, the builders only build shacks.
   If God doesn't guard the city,
      the night watchman might as well nap.
   It's useless to rise early and go to bed late,
      and work your worried fingers to the bone.
   Don't you know he enjoys
      giving rest to those he loves?
Don't you see that children are God's best gift?
      the fruit of the womb his generous legacy?
   Like a warrior's fistful of arrows
      are the children of a vigorous youth.
   Oh, how blessed are you parents,
      with your quivers full of children!
   Your enemies don't stand a chance against you;
      you'll sweep them right off your doorstep.

There may only be two arrows in the Almond Quiver - but I love them both immensely and often wish we lived nearer.