LAVENDER APPLE TART

I read in a recent post that blogging is a "Winter Sport",  how I agree.  Now that the farmers Mkt. is finished for this year, I feel I can breath a little easier.  But wait a minute,  don't I have 50 plus bushels of apples waiting to be juiced, apple sauce and apple pie filling to be made.  Guess I can't relax just yet.  But I had to share this fabulous tart recipe made with apples, and of course lavender. The carmel sauce is too DIE for.  So be watching for more post as the weather gets colder.  Can't wait for the snow to fly.  Just bought our 5th pair of snowshoes....anyone want to go snowshoeing?

LAVENDER APPLE TART

2 Tbs. butter

3 cups peeled and sliced apples

Melt 2 Tbs. butter in a large skillet.  Saute apples until soft, about 5 minutes.  Cool

Streusel topping:

11/2 cups flour

1 cup pecans

1/2 cup melted butter

1.2 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 cup sugar

11/2 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. lavender

1/4 tsp. salt

Stir together

Carmel Sauce:

1 cup light brown sugar

1/2 cup butter

1/4 cup whipping cream

1/4 cup honey

Combine all ingredients into a sauce pan.  Stirring constantly bring to a boil, and boil for 2 minutes.  Cool before serving. Store in an airtight container.  To re-heat microwave for 10 seconds.  

Lavender Apple Tart:

1/2 cup butter

1 cup sugar

2 large eggs

2 cups flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. ground lavender

1/2 tsp. salt

2/3 cup milk

2 tsp. vanilla extract

Beat butter at medium speed until creamy, gradually  add sugar, beating well.  Add eggs 1 at a time until well blended.  Combine flour, baking powder, lavender and salt.  Add to butter mixture beginning and ending with flour .  Beat on low speed until blended.  Stir in vanilla.  Pour batter into a greased 9-inch spring form pan.  Top with apples, drizzle with 1/2 cup carmel sauce, and sprinkle with streusel topping.  Bake @ 350 for 45 minutes.  To prevent  excessive browning cover top loosely with foil.  Cook until center is set.  Drizzle with more carmel sauce before serving.  Serves 8-10