Of all the things you could make in a slow cooker, I have to say that cake is my favorite. It's not so much the fact that you get to enjoy something that's sweet and delicious (although it is). It's also the sheer amazement that comes with removing baked goods from a slow cooker! And sometimes, as in the recipe below, you never really know how it all comes together.
This cake is divided into three layers - cake, apples, and sauce. The cake portion is really just a quick pastry you bring together before placing it in the bottom of the slow cooker. Then all other ingredients jump into the pool and somehow, all those layers separate and you're left with a warm, sweet cake that really created itself. This simple dessert might just become one of your favorites, too.
Slow Cooker Caramel Apple Pudding Cake
10
10 minutes
2 hours, 15 minutes
2 hours, 25 minutes
2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup plus 1/4 cup sugar, divided
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup cold butter
1 cup heavy cream
2 medium apples, peeled and chopped
1 1/2 cups orange juice
1/2 cup maple syrup
2 teaspoons butter, melted
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
In a small bowl combine the flour, 2/3 cup sugar, baking powder, and salt. Whisk together to fully incorporate all ingredients. Grate the cold butter into the flour mixture and mix to evenly distribute the butter throughout the flour. Slowly stir in heavy cream, using only as much as you need to bring the dough together.
Grease the inside of a 6-quart slow cooker insert. Place the pastry into the bottom, pressing lightly as you do. Place apples evenly over top of the pastry.
In a small bowl combine the orange juice, maple syrup, melted butter, cinnamon, and 1/4 cup of sugar. Pour mixture over the apples.
Place lid on slow cooker and cook on high for 2 hours or until the apples are tender.