Apple Pecan Raisin Upside Down Cake Food

APPLE PECAN UPSIDE DOWN CAKE

Steps:

• Peel, core and slice apples about 1/4 inch thick. Place in a mixture of water and lemon juice to prevent browning. Set aside.
• Preheat oven to 450°F.
• Toast pecans on ungreased baking sheet in oven until lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Check frequently to prevent burning.
• Reduce oven temperature to 325°F.
• Melt butter in small, heavy saucepan. Add brown sugar and cook, stirring, just until melted, 3 to 5 minutes. Watch closely because sugar burns easily.
• Pour butter-sugar mixture into 9 inch round nonstick cake pan and spread to coat bottom. Sprinkle chopped pecans on top butter-sugar mixture. Drain and pat dry apples and place in circles, slightly overlapping, over pecans.
• Sift flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt into bowl. Using electric mixer, beat butter at medium speed until light and fluffy. Add sugar and continue beating until creamy, 3 to 5 minutes. Add egg and vanilla and continue beating until completely incorporated.
• Reduce speed to low, add flour mixture and milk, alternating, in 3 additions. Continue to mix only until dry ingredients are completely mixed in, stopping to scrape sides if necessary.
• Spoon batter over topping and spread carefully so batter is even.
• Bake 55 minutes, or until tester comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 to 15 minutes. Carefully run spatula around edge of pan and let stand another 10 to 15 minutes.
• Invert pan over large plate and let stand 3 minutes. Carefully remove pan.
• Serve warm with fresh whipped cream.

FRESH APPLE SPICE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 9-by-13-by-2-inch baking pan.
• Place the pecans on a sheet pan and toast them for 5 to 10 minutes, until lightly toasted. Set aside. Combine the rum and raisins in a small bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and microwave for 60 seconds. Set aside.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, vegetable oil, vanilla, and orange zest on medium speed for 3 minutes. Sift the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves into a medium bowl. With the mixer on low, slowly add the flour mixture to the wet mixture, just until combined. Drain the raisins, discarding the liquid. With a rubber spatula, fold the raisins, pecans, and apples into the batter. Spread into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
• Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Set aside to cool, cut into squares, and serve warm or at room temperature with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of warm caramel sauce.