Friday is PIE DAY!

Rhubarb season is gearing up in Minnesota, and I am gearing up to try new rhubarb pie recipes.
As a warm up, I used the last of my frozen rhubarb to make a pie for the weekend.
I made two of these for the game feed, but it all got slurped up before I got a bite. Ever since, I have been aching for a taste. This morning is my sweet (or tart in this case) reward. A small slice and a cup of coffee are at my side as I write this....

Cran-Apple Rhubarb Pie
recipe by me

double 9" pie crust

1 cup whole cranberries, fresh or frozen
1 cup chopped rhubarb, fresh or frozen
(if using frozen, thaw and drain well)
2 cups apples; peeled, cored and sliced
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 T flour
2 T butter
1/4 t nutmeg
1/4 t cinnamon

-combine all fruits in large bowl and mix well
-add sugar and flour, stir until combined
-spoon mixture into unbaked pie crust
-dot with pieces of butter
-sprinkle with nutmeg and cinnamon
-top with crust, seal, crimp, and vent
-bake at 350 degrees for 60-70 minutes, until top is golden brown and filling is bubbling

ooooohhhhhh-This pie makes me really, really happy. The color is gorgeous, and a double whammy tart of cranberries and rhubarb is tamed just enough by the slightly sweet apples. Bring on rhubarb season-I'm ready!

Happy PIE DAY everyone.
xo Christine

What is this? A cake?

Over the weekend I got a crazy craving for a good old fashion slice of cake. Just a sugary, spicy, crunchy square of goodness. I really don't understand why people use cake mixes. It is so simple to mix up a quick batter, pour it in a pan, and bake. Even easier than pie:)

Oatmeal Spice Cake with Broiled Frosting
recipe by me

1 1/2 cups boiling water
1 cup old fashioned oats
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 t baking soda
1/2 t cinnamon
1/2 t nutmeg
1/4 t salt

-pour boiling water over oats and mix well.
-in separate bowl, cream butter and sugars
-add eggs and beat for 2 minutes, until well blended
-add flour, soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt
-mix all in
-add to oatmeal mixture and stir until smooth
-spoon into greased 9 x 13 inch pan
-bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes
-cool on rack (in pan)

Broiled Frosting

1/3 cup brown sugar
1 cup sweetened flaked coconut
1 cup chopped nuts (I like pecans)
6 T butter, softened
1/4 t vanilla

-combine all ingredients and spread on top of cooled cake
-broil for 5 minutes, until golden brown

Try to hold off for a minute or two before you dig into a slice. The topping is mighty hot right out of the broiler. Not that I know from experience or anything......The taste of this cake drums up a lot of nostalgia for me. Teamed with a steaming mug of coffee and a new magazine, it makes the perfect afternoon respite.