Apple Pandowdy

 

Note from Cheri: Shoo Fly Pie and Apple Pandowdy. The song by Dinah Shore was one of the best selling records of 1946. Lately a new generation has been introduced to the catchy tune, due to its use in a popular Lexus TV commercial. But unlike their older music loving counterparts, most of today's kids have never had the pleasure of eating these two old fashioned desserts that Dinah just "couldn't get enough of." Shoo Fly Pie is a traditional Pennsylvania Dutch dessert. Brown sugar, molasses, shortening, salt, and spices were all non-perishable ingredients that could survive the long ocean's crossing to America made by German immigrants. The pie's unusual name is said to be due to the fact that pies were traditionally set to cool on windowsills, and due to the sweet ingredients, the cook would constantly have to shoo the flies away. Apple Pandowdy is one of a family of simple desserts, known in different parts of the world as cobblers, duffs, grunts, slumps and pandowdies. These desserts have subtle variations, but the base of all of them is fruit baked with a sweet biscuit or cake dough top. The exact origin of the name Pandowdy is unknown, but it is thought to refer to the dessert's plain or "dowdy" appearance. Looks can be deceiving, apple pandowdy is delicious, especially topped with a bit of ice cream or whipped cream. Both these desserts are super easy to make, yet win rave reviews from diners. Try some tonight. Your dinner guests just won't be able to get enough of that wonderful stuff! Click here for Shoo Fly Pie Recipe!

1 1/4 C butter 2/3 C sugar 1 egg 1 C milk 2 1/2 C flour 3 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. salt 4 C peeled, sliced apples 1/3 C brown sugar 2 tsp. cinnamon 1/2 tsp. nutmeg whipped cream or ice cream for garnish

Serves 8 Preheat oven to 350° F. Combine flour, baking powder and salt, set aside. Butter a 9" square baking dish. Place sliced apples in buttered baking dish and sprinkle with a mixture of brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Mix in egg. Add flour mixture, alternating with milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture to make a stiff batter. Spread batter evenly over apples (see photo) and bake for about 50 minutes or until golden brown. Cool for at least ten minutes before serving. You can serve this dish right out of the pan, or invert it onto a serving plate like an upside-down cake, warm or at room temperature. Top with whipped cream or ice cream.