Happy 4th

I hope everybody is having a good 4th of July.  This year we are keeping it pretty low key but we always do is a BBQ.  Currently, I am marinating a rack of beef ribs and hanging out with the kids.  I am still debating what else to make for dinner.  I was considering making something traditional like apply pie but my apple pies are always iffy (if you remember my past attempt). 

Here is one recipe that can be a good alternative.  I actually made this for The Brother's birthday.

Apple Cream Puff Cake Topped with Salted Caramel
(A really long name)

Pate a Chous Recipe
(adapted from Steamy Kitchen)
* like this one because it is an easy ratio: 1
1 Cup of Water
1 Stick of Butter
1 Cup of Flour
1 Cup of Eggs
1 Tsp of Salt
Directions

1. Pre-heat the oven to 425F
2. Place the water and butter in a medium sauce pan on a medium heat.
3. Bring to a boil and cook until the butter is melted.
4. Add the salt and flour then stir quickyly to make sure the flour doesn't clumps up.
5. Remove from the heat and transfer it to a bowl.
6. Mix in the eggs - I did this by hand due to lack of a mixer but I would use a mixer.  It got a little difficult to mix.
7. Once all of the eggs is completely incorporated, put it in a piping bag.
8. Pipe a large circle.  * See below (I may try just making a large circle instead of piping it)
   
9. Bake for 10 minutes and reduce the heat to 350F and bake for 18-20 minutes.
10. Set aside

This will make two large circles (I just realized, I didn't measure it.  My guess it was at least 12 inches but not as much as 14).

Apple Filling
(adapted from allrecipes)
*I reduced the recipe by a 1/3 since I didn't need that much
6 Cups of Chunks of Granny Smith Apples

1 Tbs of Lemon Juice

1 1/2 Cup of Sugar

1//3 Cup of Corn Starch

1 Tsp of Ground Cinnamon

1 Tsp of Salt

1 Tsp of Ground Nutmeg

3 Cups of Water

Directions

1. First coat the apples with the lemon juice in a large bowl.
2. Mix in the corn starch, sugar, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg.  Place in a large stock pot.
3. Add the water.
4. Bring to a boil at a medium high heat and let it boil for 2 minutes - stir.  Reduce to a light simmer and continue to cook for about 10 minutes.
5. Let it cool for 30 minutes.

I used my favorite chocolate caramel recipe. 

Assembly

1. Take the first layer of cream puffs on the platter.
2. Spread the apple filling.  There may be access depending on how much you want.
3. Place the second layer on top.
4. Spread the caramel sauce on top and sprinkle a little kosher salt on top.
5. Serve

 

After we did damage to this...btw there was 5 adults and 1 child eating this