Ukrainian

This moist cake, choke-full of apples, is easy to prepare and has no butter. The buttery taste comes from the apples and eggs. In Ukraine, it is served as an after-school snack and at teas, birthdays, and other parties. With the caramel butter frosting it is a rich cake, but it can also be prepared with just a dusting of confectioners' sugar, instant cocoa, and chopped walnuts on top. The easiest way to prepare it is not to frost and to serve directly from the pan.

INGREDIENTS

Butter for preparing the pan
4 large eggs
1 cup (225 g) granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup (150 g) all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
5-6 green apples (1 1/2 pounds or 750 g), peeled and cut into 1/2-inch (1.2 cm) pieces (about 5 cups)
Cocoa powder (optional)
Walnuts (optional)

TOPPING (optional)

Caramel butter glaze: Melt 6 tablespoons butter in a small saucepan and cook until lightly brown; remove from heat and stir in 2/3 cup (125 g) confectioners' sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1/4 cup (60 ml) cold water until smooth. Cool to set for frosting.

METHOD

Preheat oven to 375 degree F (190 degree C)
Butter a 8 x 8 x 2-inch (20 x 20 x 5 cm) pieces (about 5 cups)

MIND REFRESHER

Stand straight, breathe normally, and watch your mind for 30 seconds Prepare the cake while being aware of the mind's expectation of how it will turn out

In a medium mixing bowl, beat eggs with sugar and vanilla until smooth and light lemon in color.
Stir in flour and baking powder; mix until smooth.
Arrange apples at the bottom of baking pan.
Pour batter over apples, moving with spoon to distribute into apples.
Bake cake 35-40 minutes or until brown and firm to the touch. Remove from oven and let cool to frost, or eat warm out of pan without frosting.
Take cake out of baking pan by inverting it onto a plate; then invert it again onto a serving plate.
Frost cake with caramel butter glaze and sprinkle with cocoa powder and walnuts. Or just sprinkle with confectioners' sugar, cocoa powder, and walnuts.

Serves 6-8