Saucy Apple Gingerbread Food

UPSIDE-DOWN APPLE GINGERBREAD

Steps:

• Pour butter into a 9-in. square baking pan; sprinkle with brown sugar. Arrange apples over sugar; set aside. , For gingerbread, in a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in egg, then molasses. Combine dry ingredients; add to sugar mixture alternately with tea, beating well after each addition. , Pour over apples. Bake at 350° for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before inverting onto a serving plate. Serve warm.

SAUCY APPLE GINGERBREAD

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°. Mix melted butter, 1/2 cup brown sugar and the pie filling. Spoon into ungreased square pan, 9x9x2 inches. Place in oven while making batter.
• Beat remaining ingredients in large bowl with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds, scraping bowl constantly. Beat on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Pour over warm apple filling.
• Bake 34 to 38 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center of gingerbread comes out clean and top is cracked. Spoon into bowls; serve warm.

GINGERBREAD PUDDINGS WITH CANDIED APPLES

Steps:

• For candied apple garnish:
• Combine all ingredients in large pot. Bring to boil over high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until apples are soft and translucent and cider coats apples thickly, stirring occasionally, about 2 hours. Transfer to bowl and cool. DO AHEAD Can be made 1 week ahead. Cover and chill. Bring to room temperature before serving.
• For gingerbread:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter 9x9x2-inch metal baking pan. Whisk first 7 ingredients in medium bowl to blend. Using electric mixer, beat butter in large bowl until fluffy. Add brown sugar and egg and beat until blended. Beat in molasses, then flour mixture. Using rubber spatula, stir in 1/2 cup boiling water. Transfer batter to prepared pan.
• Bake gingerbread until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 40 minutes. Transfer pan to rack and cool gingerbread completely in pan. DO AHEAD Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover pan with foil; let stand at room temperature.
• For puddings:
• Preheat oven to 325°F. Combine milk, fresh ginger, and peppercorns in heavy medium saucepan; bring to simmer. Remove from heat. Whisk eggs, sugar, vanilla, ground ginger, and salt in medium bowl to blend. Gradually whisk hot milk mixture into egg mixture. Strain custard into medium bowl; discard solids in strainer.
• Cut enough gingerbread into 1/2-inch cubes to measure 5 1/3 cups (reserve any remaining gingerbread for another use). Divide gingerbread cubes among eight 3/4-cup custard cups or ramekins. Pour custard over gingerbread in each cup, dividing equally. Let stand 15 minutes to allow gingerbread to absorb some custard.
• Place cups in roasting pan. Pour enough hot water into pan to come halfway up sides of cups. Cover pan with foil. Bake puddings until set, about 1 hour. Remove from water bath.
• Serve puddings warm or at room temperature, topped with candied apple garnish and ice cream.

EXCELLENT APPLE GINGERBREAD

Steps:

• Melt 1/4 cup of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the apples; cook and stir until tender. Set aside and allow to cool.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two 9 inch round cake pans.
• In a large bowl, mix 3/4 cup of butter, honey, brown sugar and white sugar until light and fluffy using an electric mixer. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing each one until blended. Combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, cloves, ginger and salt; stir into the batter, alternating with the milk. Stir in the walnuts and cooked apples just until evenly distributed. Divide evenly between the prepared pans and spread evenly.
• Bake the cake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Cool the cakes on a wire rack. Keep the oven on for the walnuts.
• To make the candied walnuts for the top of the cake, whip the egg whites in a clean bowl until foamy. Stir in the brown sugar, cinnamon and walnuts. Spread the nuts out on a baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until toasted and fragrant, about 10 minutes. Cool completely before using.
• To make the frosting, mix together the butter, confectioners' sugar and cream cheese until smooth. Place one layer of cake on a serving plate and spread with a thin layer of the cream cheese icing. Top with most of the apple filling and spread evenly. Place the other layer of cake on top with the bottom facing up. Spread remaining cream cheese icing over the top and sides. Decorate the top with remaining apple filling and sprinkle with candied walnuts.