Apple Cake with Vanilla Sauce & A Magazine Cover
My family and I had a busy 4th of July and that was rolled into my birthday on the 7th. I've always loved the 4th of July holiday because I felt like I got extra celebrating in for my birthday. The day after my birthday is also great because it's the day my mom was born. If she could have held out a couple more hours we would have shared a day. I always tell her what a great birthday present I must have been....she just rolls her eyes at me. :)
I had a great few days of birthday celebration starting on the 2nd. We went to a kids rodeo in Crawford (it's such a treat to see my son and the other youngsters learning the competition ropes in the arena). The 3rd and 4th of July we helped out at the Old West Trail Rodeo in Crawford. I helped distribute flags to the queens for the sponsor runs. If you have no idea what I am talking about you may want to pay attention. I actually kind of thought "how hard can it be.....all I have to do is hand flags to the queens". Yeah, right.....you have to hand the right flag to the right queen at the right time.....throughout the entire rodeo. When they do the sponsor run (all flags out) it is like a war zone. I can't remember the exact count, but there are something like 25 flags or so.....it's just crazy! It went well through because I got to work with two great gals so that made it easier. Shane ran the roping chute during the rodeo. That's not an easy job either.....you must pay very close attention to the roper nodding his head. He also helped all through the slack on the night of the 3rd after the rodeo and helped feed the stock. He got to our trailer and went to bed at 3 am! During the day of the 4th we were in the parade promoting the Cowgirl Swank Classic - Women's Ranch Rodeo. It is coming up on the 19th and 20th so I've also been really busy planning it. After the parade we went to Fort Robinson to tour the grounds and stables. We also checked out the art exhibit there. What a great place that is! We had a fun few days, but we were worn out by the night of the 4th (we got home at 2 am).
Also, on the 3rd I was surprised and thrilled to be featured in Real American Cowboys Magazine. Not only was I the feature store, but I was on the cover!!! My hopes of being a cover model have no been fulfilled (j/k). :) Here it all is:
Katie Barlett, who is originally from Australia, but now resides in Texas wrote the article. She did a great job! As thrilling as it was to be on the cover I doubt that Cosmo will be calling anytime soon. :)
I mentioned earlier that I've been busy planning our upcoming women's ranch rodeo. If you've never put on a rodeo before, it's unbelievable the amount of work that goes into it. I certainly couldn't do it alone. I'm very thankful for good friends to help me put on a great weekend. If you want to check it out, here is our website: www.cowgirlswankclassic.com.
Even though I have been busy with all sorts of things, I decided yesterday to make a cake I had seen the day before on Facebook: Apple Cake with Vanilla Sauce. How yummy does that sound?! Without further ado, here it is:
Apple Cake with Vanilla Sauce
For Apple cake
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup softened butter
2 eggs
4 large apples, cored and grated
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup chopped nuts (optional- I leave them out)
For Vanilla Sauce (Makes 3/4 cup.)
1 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons butter
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
pinch salt
Apple Cake Directions
Cream together sugar and butter. Add eggs one at time.
Add grated apples.
Sift together flour, soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Add in half of flour mixture stir in until incorporated, add second half and still until just mixed. (I stir in the flour by hand to avoid over-mixing.)
Pour into a greased 9 x 13 baking dish.
Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes or until cake tester comes out clean. (less if you bake convection)
Vanilla Sauce Directions
Bring water to a boil in a small saucepan. Combine sugar and cornstarch, blend well. Add sugar and cornstarch mixture to boiling water; reduce heat to medium, stirring constantly, and cook until thickened.
Remove from heat and add the butter, vanilla, and salt, stirring until butter is melted.
Spoon over dessert Enjoy!
How was it? Amazing!!! I let the cake cool quite a bit then I made the sauce to put over the top.....YUM!!! Hope you give it a whirl...it's going in my recipe box as a keeper (great way to use up apples when needed)! ~Cheyenne