I am currently in the midst of my school holidays (my final ones, I might add), finally free from studying and examinations - at least for a short while. Doing a thesis means that I'm not exactly free from the clutches of school even now, but still, I appreciate the break. It's refreshing being able to wake up at 11am, to be able to walk down the empty streets of town on Monday afternoons, go out for family lunches and dinners, pick seashells by the beach, window shop, etc, etc, and of course, finally get down to baking.

I hadn't forgotten my resolution to bake every month. However, I didn't keep to it - life just got in the way and I found myself unable to take time out to do so. I feel guilty, but I've also come to realize that baking, being a leisurely pasttime, a hobby, shouldn't be something that I'm striving so hard to achieve. The resolution was like some sort of target or quota I had to meet. That kind of takes the fun out of the whole process.

So, now resolution-free, I decided to kickstart my holiday baking with something different.

I've been sticking pretty much to the safe side of baking - meaning, I kept trying out similar recipes. Typically, they included chocolate. I love chocolate, and it was hard finding something else to bake partly because there are SO MANY chocolate recipes that I want to try. However, I think it's time I widen my baking experience a little ;)



When I saw the recipe for an Upside Down Apple Cake at Stephanie's Kitchen, I knew this was going to be the something different I wanted to try. I've never baked with apples, and the idea of an upside down cake with soft, gooey, yummy apples layered on top sounded so good. This isn't a difficult recipe, and fresh out of the oven, this cake is absolutely delicious. I was popping pieces of cake in my mouth even as I was cutting it up.





I felt that this cake tastes best warm and fresh out of the oven. Even though I hadn't any, I imagine that it'd be heaven paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Two days later, the cake became more moist and pudding-like, and while that may appeal to some, I prefer a more cakey texture to go with the apples.

It sure feels good to be able to bake again, and I'm really in a baking/cooking mood these days. In fact, so much so that I've already planned what to bake next! Updates soon! :)

Click on the link mentioned above if you want the recipe!

Labels: apple, cake, fruit