Easy Autumn Cake Food

MOONCAKES

Steps:

• For the lotus paste: Place the dried lotus seeds in a medium bowl and cover with plenty of room temperature water. Let the seeds soak and rehydrate for at least 6 hours, and preferably overnight.
• Rinse the lotus seeds under cold water, then split them in half to remove and discard the green sprout in the center (they are very bitter). Transfer the seeds to a large pot and fill with plenty of water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to medium-low and simmer until the seeds are tender enough to smash with a fork, about 1 hour. Drain well, then transfer the seeds to a food processor while they are still warm, add 3/4 cup sugar and puree until very smooth. (Add 1 to 2 tablespoons water if necessary to get a very smooth texture). Strain through a fine mesh sieve into a medium bowl.
• Melt 1 tablespoon vegetable shortening and the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar in a medium nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, then cook until caramelized and deep golden, about 5 minutes. Add the lotus puree and cook, stirring continuously, until most of the moisture has been cooked out and the puree is similar in texture to thick mashed potatoes, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the remaining 1/3 cup vegetable shortening, then continue to cook, stirring continuously, until all of the shortening has fully incorporated and the paste is very thick, glossy and pulls away from the sides of the pan, about 6 minutes more. (The final lotus paste should be amber brown in color and almost stretchy in texture.) Transfer to a medium bowl and let cool completely.
• For the mooncake dough: Meanwhile, whisk together the golden syrup, alkaline water and vegetable oil in a large bowl until combined. Add the cake and all-purpose flours, then stir with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms. Gently knead the dough until it comes together completely, then wrap in plastic wrap and set aside to rest, about 45 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Divide the lotus paste into 12 equal pieces (each about 2 1/2 tablespoons) and roll into golf ball-size balls. Place on a plate and chill in the refrigerator, 20 to 30 minutes. The colder the balls, the easier it will be to shape the mooncakes.
• Roll about 1 tablespoon of the mooncake dough into a ball, then place between 2 pieces of parchment paper that have been lightly dusted with flour. Use a rolling pin to flatten the dough to about 1/8 inch thick and 3 1/2 to 4 inches wide. Place one of the lotus paste balls in the center of the dough, and shape the dough around it, pinching the edges to seal. Roll the ball in your hands to smooth the exterior.
• Place the assembled ball in a plastic 2-inch wide miniature mooncake press mold, then turn the press upright on your work surface. Press the plunger down until you feel resistance, then lift the mooncake mold off the table and use the plunger to carefully press the mooncake out. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet, then refrigerate while you make the remaining mooncakes in the same manner.
• Bake the mooncakes until the tops are no longer shiny and the dough has just set, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes. Whisk the egg together with a splash of water in a small bowl, then brush over the tops and sides of each mooncake. Return to the oven and bake until deep golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes more. Let cool on the baking sheet 10 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely. Enjoy fresh or store in an airtight container for 2 days (they'll get shinier as they sit).

EASY AUTUMN PEAR CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Beat the first four ingredients in a large bowl with electric mixer on low speed just until cake mix is moistened.
• Blend in 1/4 cup of the butter. Beat on medium speed 2 minutes. The batter will be really thick!
• Spread batter into lightly greased 13x9-inch baking pan. Arrange pear slices evenly on batter, pressing lightly into batter.
• Sprinkle evenly with dry gelatin mix and cinnamon. Drizzle evenly with remaining 3 tablespoons butter; sprinkle with nuts.
• Bake 40 to 45 minutes.
• Can be served warm or chilled.
• Wrap up letovers and store in fridge.

EASY AUTUMN PEAR CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F.
• Beat first 4 ingredients in large bowl with mixer on low speed just until cake mix is moistened, stopping frequently to scrape side of bowl. Add 1/4 cup butter; beat on medium speed 2 min. (Batter will be thick.)
• Spread batter onto bottom of 13x9-inch pan sprayed with cooking spray. Arrange pear slices over batter, pressing lightly into batter to secure. Sprinkle with dry gelatin mix and cinnamon. Drizzle with remaining butter; sprinkle with nuts.
• Bake 40 to 45 min. or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

EASY AUTUMN CAKE

Steps:

• Spray interior of slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray,.
• Spoon apples and their juice into slow cooker, spreading evenly over the bottom.
• Sprinkle with dry spice cake mix.
• Pour melted butter over dry mix. Top with chopped pecans.
• Cook on Low 3 to 5 hours, or until a toothpick inserted into topping comes out dry.
• Serve warm from cooker.