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2020– what a time to be alive, huh? Since Coronavirus, killer hornets, hurricanes, social unrest, and virtual school aren’t enough, the west coast of the country is on fire.

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We’re not literally on fire here in Seattle, but the skies are full of thick, fog-like smoke, and have been for the last several days. We are praying for rain and spending a lot of time inside.

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For me, that means extra baking, soup, Pinterest inspired dinners instead of the usual go-to’s, board games, You’ve Got Mail movie nights, and this apple maple sheet cake.

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Every bite screams “Fall! It’s fall!” These dense, cinnamon and apple packed squares are topped with the most delicious maple glaze. I think I might add walnuts next time, too. It makes a huge pan, plenty to feed a crowd, and they cut and transfer nicely. Make these, now. I promise you’ll love them!

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Ingredients

• 2 cups flour plus 2 Tablespoons flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ cup butter
• 1 cup water
• ½ cup shortening
• ½ cup buttermilk (make your own with 1/2 C milk + 1 T white vinegar)
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 cups peeled and chopped granny smith apples tossed in 1/4 cup of sugar and 1/2 tsp cinnamon

GLAZE

• 1/3 cup butter
• 6-8 Tablespoons milk
• 3½ cups powdered sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon maple extract (mapleine)

Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, measure flour, sugar and cinnamon and stir to combine. Set aside.
2. In medium sauce pan combine butter, water, and shortening. Bring to a boil. After mixture reaches a boil add it to the flour mixture and stir to combine. Add buttermilk, then baking soda, then eggs, then vanilla in that order, mixing in between each addition. Stir in apples.
3. Pour into a 15×13 inch parchment lined jelly roll pan.
4. Bake at 400 degrees F for 20 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean from center. Let cool for about 10-15 minutes.
5. While cake is cooling, make glaze by combining butter, and milk in a medium mixing bowl. Microwave until butter is melted. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and maple extract and stir until smooth. Pour glaze evenly over cooled cake.

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