Thurgauer Apfeltorte

Happy weekend everyone!

It has been a busy but wonderful last few weeks, with my mom and stepdad visiting. It was a special gift for my daughter to be here for her high school commencement, which was a lovely evening full of joy, pride and maybe a few happy tears! We were also able to celebrate my moms birthday, this was the first time in 20 years! We just never visited each other during fall. Living so far apart makes it difficult to see each other for every birthday or other celebrations. It was very special and meant a lot to all of us.

The weather was not always so great, lots of rain and chilly winds and this week humid hot days that now turned into a cold and frosty weekend. Over the last two weeks we could really see how the leaves are changing colour and showcasing a beautiful indian summer. 

We made this traditional Swiss apple cake, Thurgauer Apfeltorte, which means it is a recipe from the Canton of Thurgau. A simple but very delicious apple cake made with fresh, local apples.

 

Thurgauer Apfeltorte

• 150 g butter, soft
• 150 ml maple syrup
• 1 organic lemon, zest and juice
• pinch salt
• 3 eggs
• 150 g spelt flour or unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 3 apples, peeled, cored, cut in half
• 3 tbsp coconut sugar

 

-Line the bottom of a 24 cm Springform pan with parchment paper, grease and flour the sides. Preheat oven to 350F/180C.

-Whisk together the butter, maple syrup, half of the lemon juice, lemon zest and salt. Add eggs one at the time, mixing well.

-Peel apples, cut in half, remove core and cut in thinly but not all the way through. Mix with half of the lemon juice and coconut sugar, set aside.

-Add the flour and baking powder and mix until well combined. Pour into prepared baking pan. Top with the apples and bake for about 45 minutes or until cake is golden brown and tester comes out clean.

-Let cool completely, dust with some icing sugar if desired.

-Tip: Cane sugar can be used instead of the maple syrup and coconut sugar–

 

Visit my Instagram page for more pictures including our trip to Niagara Falls!  littleswisslittlecanadian

 

Enjoy!

Ursula

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Maple Shortbread Cookies

Happy Monday! After yesterdays Canada Day we have an other day off and it is also finally vacation for our kids. Last week has been busy with preparations for my daughters Prom, which was on Friday. She looked beautiful with a long navy blue dress, all dolled up with makeup and hair done. All the kids or I should say the young ladies and gents looked amazing! Hard to believe that she already finished high school, emotional moments for sure.

It has been, and still is, a few very hot days here in Ontario, which makes you wish for a pool, spend time at the beach or simply stay indoors.

These Maple Shortbread Cookies were our treat for Canada Day! But they are yummy all year round!

 

Maple Shortbread Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter, soft, room temperature
• 1 cup maple syrup
• 1.5 tsp pure vanilla extract
• pinch of sea salt
• 3 cups spelt flour

-Combine the butter, maple syrup, salt and vanilla extract. Add the flour and mix until well combined. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

-On a lightly floured surface roll dough out and cut into desired shapes. Place on baking sheets lined with parchment paper.

-Refrigerate for 5 minutes.

Bake in 300 F preheated oven for 20-30 minutes or until golden brown, do not overbake. Let cool before icing.

-Decorate as desired. I left some plain, some with a maple icing (icing sugar and maple syrup mixed together) and a few a I spread some maple syrup on top and some maple sugar.

-Feel free to use whole wheat or all-purpose flour instead of the spelt flour.

 

 

I wish everyone a happy July!

Enjoy!

Ursula

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maple Coconut Tarts

Happy weekend everyone!! My kids had a week off from school for Spring (March) Break. Unfortunately the weather did not turn out to be so great…in other words, winter returned! For most of the week it was snowing and cold.

Anyway I found another way of using Maple Syrup in a recipe…I promise I will stop soon, but it is still the season right!;) These Coconut Tarts were soooooo good! I will definitely make these again soon.

Use with your favorite pastry. Makes enough filling for 7 tarts. I will add the pastry I used.

 

Maple Coconut Tarts

• 1/2 cup coconut sugar
• pinch sea salt
• 2 tbsp butter, melted
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 cup coconut, shredded, unsweetened

 

-Preheat oven to 400F/200C. Grease 7 muffin tins and line with your favorite pastry.

-In a small bowl, mix all ingredients together well. Fill in prepared tart shells only 3/4 full. Bake at 400F/200C for 15 minutes.

 

 

Following recipe is adapted from my 1985 Betty Bossi book “Dessert Traeume”.

Pastry

• 125 g unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1 pinch sea salt
• 3 tbsp honey or sugar
• 50 g butter, cold, cut in small pieces
• 50 g coconut, shredded, unsweetened
• 1 egg

-Mix flour, salt and honey or sugar. Add butter pieces and using your hands rub everything together until it resembles fine crumbs. Mix in coconuts then add the egg and mix everything well. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

-On a floured surface roll out dough and cut out circles to fit 7 muffin moulds.

 

Coconut Dream!!

 

Enjoy!

 

You can find me on Instagram: #littleswisslittlecanadian

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maple-Pecan-Coffeecake

 

This is a recipe from Rolling Ridge Maple Products. A small Maple Syrup producer in Southwestern Ontario, just outside of London. We had my Mother visiting for two weeks and of course we had to visit a Maple Syrup producer;) She loved it!! We went home with some Syrup, Maple Sugar and Maple Butter…amazing!

 

 

Maple-Pecan-Coffeecake

• 1/2 cup unbleached flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 egg
• 1 cup buttermilk or sour milk
• 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup Maple Syrup

Topping

• 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/4 cup coconut sugar or brown sugar
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter

 

-Preheat oven to 375F. Sift together the white flour, baking soda and salt. Mix in the whole wheat flour with a fork. In a large bowl, beat egg until very light; add the buttermilk, melted butter and maple syrup and beat until just combined. Spread batter smoothly in a buttered 8-inch pan.

-Sprinkle with topping. (To make the topping: mix together whole wheat flour, coconut sugar, pecans, cinnamon and melted butter)

-Bake the coffeecake about 25 minutes or until a tester inserted in the middle comes out clean.

-Drizzle with some Maple Butter, Maple Syrup or Icing Sugar.

 

 

Enjoy!

 

Follow me on Instagram!  @littleswisslittlecanadian

 

 

 

Maple Walnut Tarts

Happy Sunday everyone! Here in Ontario Canada we are enjoying a longer weekend because of Family Day Monday! The weather is above average, warm and sunny, perfect to go for a walk or run. We are spending some quality time with my mom who is visiting from Switzerland.

One of the things I grew to love since coming to Canada is Maple Syrup. I can’t wait for the Maple Syrup season to begin!

The Canadian province of Quebec is by far the largest producer, responsible for 75% of the world’s output. Vermont is the largest producer in the United States generating about 6% of the global supply.

 

 

Love the combination of Maple Syrup and Nuts!!

 

 

This recipe makes enough for a 9-inch (about 23cm)pie dish or 12 3 1/2-inch (9cm) tart pans.

 

Maple Walnut Tarts

Pastry 

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 2/3 cup cold butter, cut into pieces
• 1/2 cup ice-cold water (approx.)

 

Walnut Filling

• 3 eggs
• 1 cup maple syrup
• 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 tbsp butter, melted
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped

 

-Preheat oven to 425F (220C)

Pastry:

–In a small bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt and baking powder. Cut in butter until mixture is crumbly. Add water 2 tbsp at a time, mixing with a fork. Add a little more water if necessary. Press mixture into 2 flat disks. Wrap in plastic foil or waxed paper and refrigerate 30 minutes.

Filling:

–In a bowl, beat together eggs, syrup, brown sugar, melted butter and vanilla until just blended.

-On a lightly floured board, roll out pastry disks. Cut into 5-inch (12cm) circle. Line 12 tart pans or a 9-inch round pie dish with pastry.

-Divide walnuts and maple syrup mixture equally among tart shells. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until pastry is golden and filling is soft set.

-Let stand 15 minutes before removing from tart pans. Serve warm or at room temperature.

 

 

Enjoy!

 

 

The recipe is adapted from the Get Cracking cookbook.

 

 

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