Dear friends,
It’s a wet day here. And oh, so wonderful…fall is in the air and it smells of rain, leaves, and the spice of dark yellow goldenrod. I caught a leaf in my hands as it fell today, and Seth spent the rest of our walk trying to catch one of his own. We picked some up from the ground, too; red, orange, yellow. The oak trees are dropping dark, nutty acorns. We collected some of those, too
Inside the house, all is quiet but the humming of the dishwasher and the clacking of my fingers on the keyboard. The children are tucked into bed for naptime and my coffee is hot and steaming in a shamrock green fiesta mug, perfectly flavored with sugar and cream. I wish I had a big piece of something sweet beside me, too, but alas the apple squares are gone. I made them this weekend and they were a big hit for the family, so I thought I would share the recipe here.
SOUR CREAM APPLE SQUARES
2 cups flour
2 cups packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter, melted
1-2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup sour cream
2 tsp. vanilla
1 egg
2 cups apples, cored, peeled and chopped
Combine flour, sugar and butter in a large mixing bowl; blend with an electric mixer on low speed until crumbly. Stir in nuts; press 2 3/4 cups of mixture into an ungreased 13 by 9 inch baking pan. Add cinnamon, baking soda, salt, sour cream, vanilla and egg to remaining flour mixture; fold in apples. Spread evenly over pressed mixture; bake at 350 degrees for 25-35 minutes. Makes 15-18 servings.
recipe source: Flavors of Fall Gooseberry Patch cookbook, page 42
The bottom crust is like a cookie and the top bakes into a soft, almost creamy cake with bits of juicy apple, hints of cinnamon, and vanilla.
The family just hacked away at them all throughout Saturday afternoon, with reckless disregard for proper “squares”. Some took it slivers at a time, others cut big wedges.
They were delicious. This is a recipe I’ll be using for years to come.
“Since my girlhood I have felt
that there is an added flavor
found only in food
seasoned by the cook’s love of her art.”
~maude dickinson
Good to be Home 
Enjoy your beautiful Fall day up north! I so miss the changes of seasons living here in S.E. Florida. Have a blessed day.
Oh, and I can’t wait to try this recipe this weekend š
It is pouring rain here, so those apple squares would go well with a hot cup of tea.
We have had misty mornings…our nod to Fall, and the ocean temp is dropping. The sycamore trees are also changing. Other than that it is Indian summer and HOT.I enjoy the home atmosphere and eating with you virtually. Well, in person was more fun, but I enjoy eat post
sounds and looks good. I can use honey that I get at Walmart special kind that I make pecan pie with and Splenda and the sour cream with low fat.
I have actually been processing apples today. What a perfect time to get this recipe. I have just enough left to slice up for this nice dessert. Thanks so much.
The apple squares look delicious! It’s still hot here, though a little cooler than last week — we need rain so badly!
Those look delicious and as soon as my oven is fixed (crossing fingers and toes it’s just another day or two) I will make them! Yum! It’s been in the 90’s here. I am so ready for cool rainy days!
Update: Oh my….this is a recipe for repeating. Got the pan finished around dinner time…just skipped dinner and went right to dessert. Thanks for the recipe.
Oh, that cake looks delicious!! drizzled with brown sugar icing yet š Cold and rainy here too – baked yesterday just to take the chill off the damp air. You always make your home seem so inviting, cozy, and uplifting.What’s with the crazy ads here in your comments?? Hope you’re not getting hacked.
Those look wonderful!
sounds so yummy-like apple pie in squares. š
Oh yummy!! I’ll be trying these!
MMMMMMMMM!!! looks so yummy! This is just the type of recipe we all love around here! Love, JO
Thanks for the recipe. It looks great. I have been buying honey crisp apples from a local farm and making yummy apple crisp over and over. This will be a nice new way to use the apples. Be blessed today! Fall is in the air here in PA, too! Now to go get another round of kids off to school.
The sour cream apple cake looks excellent, but I’m curious about the quote from Maude Dickinson–where did that come from? Did you know her?
Diana Dickinson
Hi Diana, the quote is from a 1967 book titled _When Meals Were Meals, Recipes and Recollections from a Farmhouse Kitchen_ by Maude Dickinson. Are you related to her?
Yes. She is my great-grandfather’s sister. We have the book, but not many people know of it! Thanks!
That is so interesting!!! You might be interested in this blog post, too! https://goodtobehome.co/2010/02/09/2392/#respond
I loved the book. My brother found it for me at a used book sale.
Love, Shanda