Friday, December 12, 2008

Baby Turns One!

My baby (I mean, my blog) is one year old already! I really cannot believe that it's been a whole year since I started my blog. Time really flies. I remember not having any idea of how to start and what to post... I started visiting blogs that I'd seen from before starting my own blog. Slowly, ideas began coming to me. I've learned so much through blogging!

I've found that I have grown tremendously as a person in this past year. I have found an outlet for something that I truly love. I am able to express myself in a completely unique way via blogging. I love cooking, baking and sharing. This blog has been a perfect vehicle for all of those things. In addition, I've learned a little bit about recipe writing and photography (OK, very little).

I am also thankful for all of the amazing souls I have "met" virtually through blogging. Dear friends who didn't know I existed a year ago have been so kind, sweet, encouraging, and supportive in good times and during rough patches. I am truly grateful for each and every interaction we've had and look forward to deepening friendships and new friendships in the coming year.

As always, I am open to any comments/suggestions as to how you think this blog could be improved or for any specific post requests. Once again, thank you all and let's get the party started!

Apple Cake 1

I thought it would be best to celebrate with the fruits of the season. So, I made an apple cake to share with you all. This cake (adapted from my King Arthur Flour baking book) is perfect for snacking or can easily be dressed up for a simple, elegant dessert. Sweet apples are complemented by raisins, dried cranberries, and spices. The result is sheer bliss without much effort on your part!

Apple Cake (yields 16 pieces):

Ingredients:

Whole wheat flour - 1/2 cup
All purpose flour - 1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp
Sugar - 1/4 cup (for mildly sweet; can increase to 1/3 cup for sweeter)
Brown sugar - 1/2 cup
Baking soda - 1 tsp
Salt - 3/8 tsp
Cinnamon powder - 1 tsp
Allspice - 1/4 tsp
Nutmeg - 1/4 tsp
Softened butter - 4 tbsp
Crystallized ginger or fresh ginger (optional) - 1 1/2 tbsp, minced finely
Apples - 2 cups, peeled and chopped
Raisins - 1/4 cup
Dried cranberries - 1/4 cup
Egg - 1

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 325 F. Line an 8 inch square baking pan with greased parchment paper or grease and flour the pan.

2. Whisk the dry ingredients (flours, salt, sugars, baking soda, and spices) together. Cut the butter into pieces and add it along with the apples, ginger, raisins, cranberries, and the egg. Beat at medium speed until well blended. Note: The batter may seem a bit thick, but it's ok!

3. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Smooth the top and bake at 325 F for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely, slice, and serve!

apple cake 2


We had ours plain (mine with whipped cream) with tea or coffee. So moist and flavorful with spices. Juicy bursts of raisins and cranberries throughout made it the perfect cake for the season! I think that a cream cheese frosting would be delicious on it, too. This is one that I will definitely be making again. Hope you enjoyed my celebration and here's to another wonderful year of blogging!

Update: I'm sending this in to JZ's Santa's Holiday Challenge event.

36 comments:

AnuSriram said...

That looks so fluffy and wonderful.. many happy returns to your baby... My Hugs and Love to the baby.. Tc

Finla said...

The cake looks delciious and it is always wonderful to celebrate with a sweet.
Happyb'day to your wonderful blog and wishing many more happy blogging years.

Srikitchen said...

wow! it looks delicious and yum! can i have a piece?
join in the sweet event going in my blog!

Cham said...

Now ur baby is grown up :) Congrats Kalai I am happy we both pretty much started at the same time met and still continuing with spirit! I always enjoyed reading ur post and most often ur non-veg recipes :)
Hugs and Many more Happy Blogging!

kamala said...

Many happy returns Kalai..wishing you many more..Cake looks so moist..Congrats Kalai

indosungod said...

Congratulations! Has it been a year already? The cake looks so good. Wishing you another wonderful year of blogging.

FH said...

Happy first blog anniversary Kalai, enjoy! :))

Red Chillies said...

Hearty congratulations Kalai and wishes for more to come. Time flies by so fast isn't it? I use blogging as a way of creative outlet. Best wishes to you girl.

Unknown said...

Many Happy returns Dear...wishing you many more... Delicious & Innovative recipes... thxs for sharing,,.
THxs for visiting my blog & comment..

Priya Suresh said...

WOw apple cake looks gorgeous...Congrats for crossing ur first blog anniversary..

Beyond Curries said...

Happy birthday to your blog Kalai. The cake is definitely wholesome with whole wheat flour and loads of fresh fruits and dried fruits. I can easily replace the egg with applesauce and bake this cake. Will try it one of these days.

Unknown said...

congratulations on the anniversary ..apple cake looks yumm..love the ingredients you added..looking forward for more from you..

Uma said...

Congrats and happy birthday to your wonderful blog Kalai! What a way to celebrate with apple cake. looks so delicious and mouth-watering. I would love mine with some whipping cream too!

sra said...

Looks like it's the season for anniversaries - happy anniversary, Kalai, it's been nice knowing you. May you have many, many more!

Daily Meals said...

Congrats Kalai! The cake looks delicious...

TBC said...

Wow! A whole year has gone by! Congrats and best wishes for many more, Kalai.:D

Raks said...

Your pictures are really good! Time runs like anything right? Enjoy ur days!

Miri said...

Congratulations! and here's to many more!

Sig said...

Congratulations dear Kalai! Looking forward to reading your wonderful posts for many many more years to come!

Kalai said...

Thank you all so much for your sweet wishes!!

Madhu, applesauce would be a perfect replacement. You'd have the softness and the apple flavor would be even stronger! :)

Neha said...

Congrats kalai on ur 1st yr. :)
The cake looks yummy n perfect.

Sunshinemom said...

Apple cake looks crumbly and tasty, Kalai! Congrats on a whole year of blogging! Grow more:)

Pallavi said...

Nice one.. Happy birthday to the little one.. ! You hubby, even if he doesnt like cabbage, will like the cranberry chutney.. He wont even know there is cabbage in it. Do try it .. !

Pallavi said...

OOps !! I got confused.. !! I commented a little too early looks like.. :) Congrats on one year of blogging.. :)

Anonymous said...

Congrats Kalai :) Heres to many more years of blogging! You really celebrated the big day with a bang :) The cake looks moist and perfectly yummy!

Laavanya said...

Wow.. a year already? Congratulations Kalai and here's to many more.
Apple cake looks fabulous :)

Suganya said...

Apple cake looks so good. Nice recipe. YUM!

Gita Jaishankar said...

Many Happy Returns to your little one. I am sure the baby would also love those wonderful apple cakes :)

Mishmash ! said...

Happy birthday to your baby :) It was a pleasure knowing you too .....

and the texture of cake speaks for itself....

vandana rajesh said...

Congrats on the first bday and wish u many more to come. The apple cake looks absolutely delicious. Have an event on my blog "Baking For Beginners", do chk out

Bharathy said...

Happy birthday to your blog baby, Kalai :)
Wishing you many more wonderful years of blogging and friends :)
Lovely pieces of cake sitting on that plate :)

Sanghi said...

you are great at baking, how many unque variety of cookies?keep it up! do visit my site..

Unknown said...

wow..its so different and deliciuos...i am looking fr a different cake recipe...will try by this week and let u know...

and thank a lot for ur concern kalai...

Pravs said...

one year old huh ? congrats ! It has been wonderful knowing you.Wishing you the best with more yummy posts.
So far have not tried apple cake. This one look good enough to try. Love the ingredients in it.

@the_whisk_affair said...

Time flies by quickly eh!? Happy Birthday to ur blog, Kalai!! The apple cake looks delicious, I've never made them, but have had them once and it was awesome!

Wish you would send this to my event - Santa's Holiday Challenge!!

Cynthia said...

Continue to enjoy the holidays!