Happy belated Hanukkah with Babette Friedman’s Apple Cake

We went over to our friends' place today for a simple latke party, though what resulted was a total celebration of Jewish cuisine.

I originally wanted to make Apple Cider donuts and then it changed to Chocolate-Apricot Babka, and then I realized that I was setting myself up for failure much more than I normally do, and so I kicked it down a notch (opposite of Emeril) and went for apple cake, specifically Babette Friedman's Apple Cake.

Babette/NY Times' version:

 

photo by Owen Franken

our version:

Apple cake involves apples?

If you read last week's post, you'll fully understand how great the below Christmas gift from my mom is... Allow me to introduce you to my brand new KitchenAid artisan mixer (in pistachio). On the right, you'll notice it tilts up. Amazing. The bad news? I may have to take it easy on mom for a little while. 

Concentrically-placed apples are cool.

I've gone semi-pro. Or at least, this picture looks so good, I would assume it's been photoshopped. It hasn't!

On to the party. Morgan manned the latke station while Jodi kept her eye on the brisket while Neal kept his eye on Jodi. What isn't shown is Neal leaving his post and Jodi scalding herself with hot brisket juice. Neal, why did you leave? Jodi, how's the burn? Morgan, nice work.

The food was Jew-tastic (Matt wrote this), and as Morgan will be the first to admit, she "makes a mean bowl of [matzo] ball."(Matt as well.) And accompanied with brisket, latkes, and our impromptu menorah, this was indeed a very happy post Hanukkah latke-fest.

P.S. Sorry so brief. Next week's is going to be craaaazy. I already started it 7 hours ago.

RECIPE:

8 ounces (2 sticks) unsalted butter, more for greasing pan
1 1/3 cups plus 1 tablespoon sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
4 Gala or other flavorful apples, peeled, cored and each cut into 8 slices
1/2 teaspoon Calvados or apple brandy
1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9-inch springform pan, and set aside.

2. In bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, combine remaining 8 ounces butter, 1 1/3 cups sugar and the salt. Mix until blended. Add eggs and whisk until smooth. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold in the flour and baking powder until thoroughly mixed. Fold in a few of the apples, and spread batter evenly in pan.

3. In large bowl, toss remaining apples with Calvados, ginger and cinnamon. Arrange apple slices in closely fitting concentric circles on top of dough; all the slices may not be needed. Sprinkle remaining 1 tablespoon sugar over apples.

4. Bake until a toothpick inserted into center of cake dough comes out clean and apples are golden and tender, about 50 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Yield: 8 to 10 servings.