Apple Kuchen

It's a bit cloudy and it's Football Sunday so we've been watching the Carolina Panthers... what better to do than bake while I watch the game?  A number of years ago, I was in a kuchen state of mine but haven't made one in quite some time.  As I was going through an old "write your own" cookbook of mine, I found this recipe.  It's easy and it's good... doesn't take much prep time, bakes for about 45 minutes, and the house smells like nutmeg and cinnamon!

What is a kuchen?  Kuchen is a German word for cake and it's generally made with a sweet dough and fruit filling.  Just in time for Oktoberfest, you can enjoy some kaffee und kuchen, which literally means “coffee and cake".  It’s a custom that brings families & friends together to enjoy a little “Gemütlichkeit” (coziness).  I hope you enjoy this kuchen!

(adapted from  the French Laundry Cookbook)

3 apples (I used a combo of Granny Smith and Gala but any kind will work)
1/3 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

1/4 cup sugar
1 large egg

1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp nutmeg (fresh grated)

1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp sugar, for topping

Preheat oven to 350F.

Lightly grease an 8-inch round or spring form pan.
Peel and core apples. Slice into approximately 1/4 inch thick slices. Set aside.

In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugars. Beat in egg and vanilla.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, nutmeg and cinnamon.

With the mixer on low speed or by hand, add flour mixture and milk to sugar mixture in 2 or 3 alternating additions. Spread into prepared pan.

Arrange apple slices as desired and sprinkle with 1 tsp sugar.
Bake for 40-45 minutes, until a tester comes out clean.
Serve warm or at room temperature.  Top with a dollop of whipped cream or ice cream if desired!
Serves 10.