German Apple Almond Cake

When my kids were younger, we would to sit down as a family as soon as the kids got out of school and create a summer bucket list.  My kids were quick to add things like eat s'mores,  go out for ice cream and stay up late watching movies to the list.  My husband would suggest family hiking trips and camping.  As for me, I usually tried to include some sort of family cooking activity but to be honest, I was on board with anything that involved spending time together as a family.  (Other than tent camping. 😂🏕)

Why did we ever stop making summer bucket lists?  It's such a great way to make sure that time doesn't slip away while I occupy myself with the busyness of my daily routine.  It's amazing how quickly I can end up cruising through life on autopilot without ever stopping to be truly present in the moment.  I need that not-so-subtle, neon colored bucket list taped to my refrigerator door as a reminder that at the end of the day, the pile of dirty dishes next to my kitchen sink isn't what's important.  

I may have missed the boat on making a summer bucket list this year but I'm not going to let that stop me from making an end of the year/holiday bucket list.  These last few months of the year are by far the busiest for my business in addition to all of the other demands of Christmas.  It's easy for me to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season and I'm hoping that my holiday bucket list will help me keep things in perspective this year. 

I know that I need to get out of the house more, especially on busy baking days, so I'm adding dog walks and al fresco lunches to my bucket list.  I also want to build in time for myself this Christmas.  I'm working toward moving past my feelings of selfishness and scheduling "me" time this year.  😳 My list also includes things like spending less time on my phone and being more present when I have time with Ben.   
Wish me luck - this holiday bucket list isn't going to be easy to execute.  It was easy to generate a list of things that I WANT to do in these last 66 days of the year but it's going to be way harder to stay focused on what's important and stick to my list and not add additional tasks to my already busy schedule.  Simplifying my holiday baking is one way that I can stick to my bucket list.  This German Apple Almond Cake is simple and amazing.  Yea for easy holiday cakes and more time to check things off my end of the year bucket list.

German Apple Almond Cake
1 cup flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup sugar
4 ounces almond paste, cut into 1/2" pieces
1/2 teaspoon salt
8 Tablespoons butter
3 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 small apples, peeled and cored
2 teaspoons sugar

Spray springform pan with cooking spray and dust with flour. 

Combine sugar, salt and almond paste in mixing bowl.  Mix until crumbly.

Add butter and mix until light and fluffy.

Add eggs and vanilla and mix 2 more minutes. 

Slowly add flour and baking powder.  Mix until just combined. 

Spread batter into bottom of springform pan. 

Slice apples thinly and fan out. 

Arrange on top of cake. 

Sprinkle with additional sugar. 

Bake 50 minutes at 375.

Cool in pan 30 minutes.  Remove from pan and dust with powdered sugar before serving. 

I brought these apples home from our trip to the North Georgia mountains last weekend.  You don't have to get your apples from an orchard while wearing cute boots and a flannel shirt but bonus points if you do.  Most of the time, grocery store apples work just as wonderfully in this recipe as freshly picked ones.  
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​Ciao!

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