Many apples, much coconut

So you know how I am trying to clean out my pantry before the big move?

Well, I still have a LOT of a lot of things left:

• a lot of shredded coconut
• a lot of almonds in all kinds of form, ground & slivers too
• a lot of ground hazelnuts
• a lot of yeast
• a lot of baking chocolate (not a problem!)
• a lot of bay leaves (why did I need so many?)
• a lot of  stoneground wholewheat flour (I stocked up at a trade show earlier this year)

The list can go on… Anyway, I was waiting for the baseball game to start last night (kick-off after 1am UK time. sigh.) & decided to use some of my many apples and much coconut to make Apple-Coconut Family Cake, a recipe from Dorie’s Baking… tome (p.214). It reminds me somewhat of Not Your Gran’s Apple Cake, one of my favorite apple recipes.

I used some Bramley apples (2 1/2 big ones), instead of the recommended Goldens because I prefer their tartness & crunch, and lots of cinnamon (of which I also had lots, it turned out). I also used some cinnamon sugar (a mix I made for the holidays, a little bit of which was left over) mixed in with the regular sugar. I love recipes that use yogurt, and I always have that handy (for those not in the know, I am a little yogurt obsessed).

I also made a quick and delicious honey glaze instead of the apple jelly glaze (about the only thing I didn’t have in my pantry):

• 4 large tablespoons honey (mine is a little jar from Normandy)
• 2 teaspoons demerara sugar
• a chunk of butter
• tablespoon+ of water

Melt  everything in a small saucepan and stir vigorously once it comes to a boil. Take off heat and keep stirring. Brush on with a pastry brush – shiny!

Where can you get apple cider in London? Whole Foods?

– K