Caramel Apple Scones

For World Card Making Day this year we had a Carnival theme complete with carnival type snacks.  What's a carnival without Caramel Apples, right?  Well, rather than making Caramel Apples, I tried this recipe for Caramel Apple Scones.  OMG...YUM!!!  They are soft and moist and oh so delicious!

The original recipe is from www.recipegirl.com.  I changed it a bit, so here's what I did!

Caramel Apple Scones
1 large Gala Apple
3 cups flour (I used 1 cup whole wheat, 2 cups all purpose)
1/3 cup sugar
2 tbsp Baking Powder
1 tsp Baking Soda
1 tsp Cinnamon
1/2 tsp Salt
1/2 cup cold Butter (cut into chunks)
1 cup Vanilla Greek Yogurt (choose a creamy one...I used Oikos because I love it!)

-Preheat the oven to 350.
-Mix dry ingredients well.  Cut in butter with a pastry cutter until you have coarse crumbs.
-Core, peel and cut your apple into small chunks.  Add to the dry ingredients.
-Stir in the yogurt.  Dough will be dry and seem like it isn't working...but it is!  Use your hands and gently work the dough until it comes together.
-On a lightly floured surface pat the dough into a rectangle (about 1/2-3/4 inches thick).  Using a shape knife, cut the dough in half the long way, then cut into squares and cut the squares into triangles (I got 16 triangles).
-Gently place the triangles of dough onto a pan, leaving some space between to allow for expansion during baking.  Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until they are no longer doughy in the middles (just lightly touch with your finger...it will feel kind of springy when it's done).
-Allow them to cool and drizzle caramel icing over them.

Caramel Icing
4 tbsp Butter
1/2 cup Brown Sugar (packed)
2 tbsp milk or cream
1/4 tsp vanilla
pinch of salt
1/2 to 3/4 cup Powdered Sugar

-In a small pan, melt the butter.  When butter is melted, add the brown sugar and milk (or cream).  Stir over medium heat for about 1 minute.
-Transfer to a mixing bowl and allow to cool for a couple minutes.  Stir in the vanilla and 1/2 cup of the Powdered Sugar.  Beat until well blended.  To reach the desired consistency, add more powdered sugar if needed. 
-Drizzle over warm scones


**These scones are divine enjoyed warm, but the are also quite good the next day.  Store in an airtight container until ready to serve.

Spice Cake

Today I'm sharing my tried and true Spice Cake recipe that my Coffee & Cards ladies enjoyed at the September Coffee & Cards event.  I'm not even sure where I got this recipe...I have it written in my "Favorite Recipes" recipe book!  It's quick and easy and one I use every fall....or when I get a craving for spice cake!

Spice Cake
2 cups Flour
1 1/2 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp Baking Soda
1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
1/4 tsp Ground Nutmeg
1/4 tsp Ground Cloves
1/4 tsp Ground Ginger
1/2 cup Butter or Margarine, softened
1 1/2 cups Sugar
1/2 tsp Vanilla
1 1/4 cups Buttermilk (or sour milk...1 tbsp vinegar or lemon juice and enough milk to make the total you need for the recipe)

-Preheat the oven to 350.  Grease a 9x13 pan.
-Stir together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and spices.  Set aside.
-Cream the butter and sugar together in a mixer until well combined.  Add vanilla.  Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each egg.
-Add the butter mixture to the dry ingredients alternating with the buttermilk.  Mix well after each addition.
-Pour into prepared pan and bake for 35-40 minutes.  Cool on a wire rack.  Frost as desired.  Cut into pieces and serve.


I like to frost this cake with a simple Cream Cheese Frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting
1 block Cream Cheese (8oz)
1/2 cup Butter, softened
3-4 cups Powdered Sugar

Whip the Cream Cheese and Butter together.  Slowly add the Powdered Sugar until you reach the desired consistency (I like to stick with 3 cups because I like the frosting not so sweet!).