Every once in a while I get a fail.  An epic fail.  A fail of colossal proportions.  A fail that makes you consider whether it's worth doing it.  Yesterday was one of those days.  I had great intentions but I was feeling wretched from a bloody cold that I caught from somewhere.  Still, I wasn't going to let that get me down.  I got ready to make a recipe, I had my dead bananas ready to go.  The recipe was one I hadn't tried before and I thought that it might be interesting but it felt wrong even at the batter stage.  I forged ahead though, always the optimist.  I could tell within the first 15 minutes of baking that it was a complete flop.

I had a decision to make:
A) Take out my frustration on everyone around me - Truth be told this is my 'go-to' response for these types of situations
OR
B) Decide that their are more important things in life than banana bread that might have been good, failing epically and just let it go.
Yesterday, I was the bigger man and choose option B.  A rather big deal for me and a shock to D, kid #1 and kid #2 who all hid in different parts of the house waiting for the explosion.
And now...


I am moving on... to Apple cake.  Fingers crossed and knock on wood and throw salt over your shoulder and all that other crap.   I'm not always a huge fan of this kind of thing but necessity is the mother of invention.  I had apples that needed to get used up.  I figured after the fail yesterday that I dealt with pretty well, even if today's venture blew chunks I'd still survive and my family might too.  Gave it a whirl and was pleasantly surprised - Thank God because, just between you and me, I don't honestly know if I could've held it together after all.  I barely made it though.  I used the wrong size baking dish and had to bake the cake forever before the inside was baked through.  I got nervous but held it together and it came through.  Beautifully!



Apple Cake

Part 1
2/3 cup pecans or walnuts, coarsely chopped
1 1/2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp unsalted butter, room temp.
drizzle of corn syrup

Part 2
2 1/4 cups peeled and sliced apples (I used Mac's - I think!)
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon

Part 3
2 cups unbleached, all-purpose flour
3/4 tsp baking powder
dash of salt
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 lg eggs
4 tbsp sour cream or plain yogurt
1 1/2 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Grease and flour an 8 inch round baking dish.
Line a baking sheets with foil.  In a bowl mix together the nuts, sugar, butter and corn syrup.  Place on the baking sheet and bake for about 9 min or until lightly toasted.  Set aside to cool.


In another bowl mix together the sliced apples, brown sugar and cinnamon.  Set aside


In a third bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder and salt.  Set aside.

In a fourth bowl (really!) beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  Add in the eggs one at a time until the mixture is light and fluffy.  Add in the sour cream and vanilla and mix well.  Add in the flour mixture and mix until everything is well incorporated.  Place half the batter in the prepared baking dish.  Top with the apple mixture, making sure that there is no additional liquid going in as well.  Top that with the nuts mixture.  Top that with the remaining batter and spread evenly over the top.  Sprinkle the top with a little sugar and cinnamon and bake for about 45 - 50 minutes.