Tuesday, September 15, 2009

TWD: Flaky Apple Turnovers (& Russian Grandmother's Apple Pie Cake)

It was an apple dessert double-header at my house this weekend.

Fine by me! If I were asked to make a list of my all-time favorite food combinations, apples, sugar, and cinnamon would be hovering near the top.


Mmmm, I could eat 'em with a spoon.

But anyway, first up on the dessert menu was Flaky Apple Turnovers, chosen by Julie of Someone’s in the Kitchen for this week's Tuesdays with Dorie recipe.


I really loved these handy little pies. The crust was so flaky and light. I just wish I could have squeezed more apples inside. But my dough was so soft (thanks to a really humid kitchen)... it just wasn't happening.


Next... when I heard that an apple dessert was in the queue for TWD this month, I also wanted to try the Russian Grandmother's Apple Pie Cake that was made before I joined. Natalie of Burned Bits picked this treat back in March, 2008.

I loved how bumpy and golden and fantastic it looked.


Apple and cinnamon heaven, baby!


This was a really interesting recipe. I halved the recipe and made it in an 8-inch square pan. (The full recipe goes in a 9x13-inch pan.) First, a layer of cookie-like dough was rolled out and placed in the pan.


Next went a mother-lode of apples, cinnamon, sugar, and plump, juicy raisins, all topped with another layer of dough.


The edges were tucked into the sides of the pan "as though you were making a bed" (I never make my bed (what's the point? you just get back in it and mess it up again) but I was able to figure this part out, LOL).

After baking, it ends up somewhere between a pie and a cake. But either way, it's delicious.

I think if I made this again, I might increase the amount of sugar, or maybe add some butter (?) to the filling. I thought it could stand to be a wee bit "juicier".

But still, it was delish. So were the turnovers. If the apple pie cake filling was a little juicier, I would have a hard time picking between these two treats.

OK, I'm signing off until next week (when it's my pick, yeah!). If you'd like to see the recipes, please pick up a copy of Dorie Greenspan's book "Baking, From my Home to Yours", or stop by Julie or Natalie's blogs.

Adios!

24 comments:

Marie Rayner said...

Your turnovers and cake look fabulous! Well done you!!

NKP said...

Hooray for apple season!
You have inspired me to go check out what the local orchard has to offer.

chocolatechic said...

Looks gorgeous.

vibi said...

Beautiful flakiness, Jacque! Those must have been very enjoyable! Well done...

grace said...

i really enjoy turnovers containing any fruit, but apples are a favorite. i’m mostly intrigued by this cake, though—it looks absolutely glorious, stuffed with apple goodness. it’s definitely worth a try!

Bella Baker said...

The turnovers and the cake both look amazing!!!! Those turnovers look soooo flaky and wonderful! great job!

Flourchild said...

I had so much extra dough I made a giant turnover too. I love apples and this was a perfect fall treat! Your pictures are wondeful and have made me hungry!

Megan said...

The apple pie cake was one of my dad's favorites. In fact, you've given me a great idea of what to make for him!

Hindy said...

You've really outdone yourself. These are two great recipes. We also loved the turnovers and I'm glad to hear your take on the juiciness of the cake. Valuable tip. Thanks.

Katrina said...

Awesome turnovers. Now I want to try that apple pie cake I missed, too! Looks de-lish. Thanks for the tip about it being juicier.

Snooky doodle said...

oh everything looks delicious! those turnovers look so good and flaky

Pamela said...

I enjoyed the turnovers and that Apple Pie Cake has been on my list to try for a while now. We're going apple picking in a few days, so maybe then. It all looks quite yummy.

Engineer Baker said...

I remember loving the apple pie cake when I made it - yum! Might have to make it again now... And your turnovers look amazing! Well done!

Anonymous said...

both look wonderful! Great coordination of efforts. :P

Susan said...

You and I would get a long fine. I am an apple lover too! Both of your desserts looked amazing.

Amanda said...

Wow a double header! They both look fantastic!

Kayte said...

Oh, both of these look wonderful. Your dough on that turnover is so flaky...kudos to you on that! Very fun to get two apple recipes this week!

Anonymous said...

Your flaky apple turnovers look soo delicious! I love the sugary crust on them too. Now I want to make the Russian Grandmother's Apple Pie Cake after seeing yours! Soo many recipes to catch up on! =)

Karine said...

I love your sentence "apple and cinnamon, baby!".

Yeah, these 2 ingredients are so wonderful together!

margot said...

Beautiful pictures, I love the ones with the bright apples. I've had that cake on my rewind list too, since it was made way before I joined TWD. I'll take your tip on a little extra sugar for the filling.

Maria said...

I love the cake, so creative!

natalia said...

Fantastic apple treats ! I wish I still had some !!

Unknown said...

I love apple treats! Both of yours came out so well!! Cant decide which one I ought to try first! Any suggestions?

Jules Someone said...

Finally getting to comment! Both treats look so yummy. I never made the cake either. I may have to try it now. Thanks for baking with me!