German Apple Pudding

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...One of the dishes we had last week was a Bavarian potato soup called Kartoffel Suppe. The soup, which you can find here, is very easy to make and it is a great way to beat back the damp chill of a winter evening. It is, however, peasant simple in its construction and demands some extras to perk it up and help make it a satisfying meal. A salad and a good seeded rye bread helped round out the menu but the coup de gras was an apple dessert that scores points for its down to earth good taste and the memories it evokes. The Silver Fox had this often as a child and despite its simplicity, it remains a favorite of his. His mother was a wonderful cook and I have good reason to suspect he finds my version almost, almost mind you, as good as hers. The dish is quick and easy to make and it is delicious in the way that only comfort food can be. It can be assembled in about 15 minutes and on the table in an hour. The recipe is uncomplicated save for one instruction that will seem counterintuitive. You will be asked to pour boiling water on top of the apple mixture but not to stir in in. It is really important that you follow this directive even though the pudding will look really strange until its fully baked. I promise it will come together and you'll have a lovely dessert that resembles apple pie filling, but is less sweet and more intensely apple flavored. The pudding should be served while it is warm. It is wonderful served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and delicious if you can add good coffee and great conversation. Here's the recipe.

German Apple Pudding...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite

Ingredients:

4 cooking apples, peeled and sliced

1 cup of brown sugar

1 cup of all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

4 ounces cream cheese, softened

2 cups boiling water or boiling hot apple cider

Directions:

1) Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

2) In a deep 2 quart baking pan, mix together sugar, flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Add apple slices and mix until coated with flour mixture. Combine milk and vanilla and add to flour mixture. Stir until everything has been moistened. Smooth out the top.

3) Place softened cream cheese in a mixing bowl and cover with boiling water. Blend with a whisk until cheese dissolves and mixture looks milky.

4) Put filled baking pan on rack in oven. Pour milky mixture over top. DO NOT STIR.

5) Bake for 40 minutes or until top is golden brown. Let cool slightly before serving. Sprinkle extra cinnamon-sugar on top if desired. Yield: 8 servings.