Bake. Laugh. Eat. Repeat.
There really isn’t that much to say about this cobbler…
Except maybe that it is the work of 1 humble skillet, 11 simple ingredients and 40 short minutes in the oven.
Or perhaps that it’s the perfect vehicle for crisp, sweet, springtime apples, such as the lovely Pink Lady and some tart Granny Smiths, both of which fairly burst with flavor when cooked into a luscious caramel-coated cobbler just like this one.
You can consider this a sort of ‘Wordless Wednesday’ post…
I mean, what could we possibly have to converse about that would be better than this cake?
This one bowl, one fork, one skillet, sticky bun cake laced with dulce de leche?
Right. Nothing. Exactly. Duh.
There’s butter inside the cake, which is really just a series of biscuits that are going to bake together.
Oh! And then there’s a butter, brown sugar and pecan crust baked into the bottom of the cake, which you’ll invert to become the top of the cake. For easier access, natch.
A loving loved one sat me down last week and reminded me of all the things that I didn’t learn to accept until later in life. Adult-like things that I only recently came around on. This list includes, but is not limited to, the following:
1. Salads
2. Salad spinners
3. Wearing socks
4. Washing socks
5. Coexisting peacefully with spiders
6. Respectable bedtimes
Loving loved one tells me that it’s questionable as to whether I have yet to actually accept numbers 1 and 6.
Three things that I have embraced with open arms since birth:
1. Ice cream
2. Pie
3. Bacon
So when I learned that National Ice Cream Day was about to be upon us, I began plotting a way to combine all of these personal favorites.
And thus, as we celebrate ice cream all day today, I am here to present you with a Dulce De Leche Ice Cream Pie with a Bacon & Graham Cracker Crust. Take that Mr. Salad Spinner.
The truth is that I am very much on a sweet/salty kick right now, and it’s a delicate, delicate balance to strike. You must involve just the right amount of salty flavor without too much cloying sweetness. It takes precision, concentration, and more than a few taste tests.
Bacon and caramel create that perfect balance for you naturally: bacon is salty with just a touch of smoky flavor, and caramel is sweet without being overwhelming and overpowering, as chocolate can sometimes be.
Plus it’s about a gajillion degrees outside. You may have noticed? So this sweet/salty pie was always going to happen today.
I was never a big fan of summer as a child, which I attribute my fear of the ocean, Frisbees, and potato salad. Luckily my lack of fear of ice cream, pie, and running through the sprinkler helped me to make peace with the fair third season, and now we’re living happily ever after.
It’s a good thing too since I now live just down the street from the surface of the sun.
But summer is about so much more than just the temperature outside, don’t you think?
I can still smell my father’s old charcoal grill heating up. Taste my grandmother’s fresh raspberry jam. Feel myself freaking out over the faint chimes that could only mean the approach of the ice cream truck.
Summer is bonkers.
I visited an alien planet this past weekend. I’d like to tell you about it.
I’d like to tell you about it because my visit was fraught with difficulties: trouble entering the alien atmosphere, issues navigating the terrain, problems communicating with the native aliens, and challenges upon reentry back to Earth.
You’re my friend. And as my friend, I’m hoping that you can advise me. You know, keep things running a little more smoothly during my next trip.
So let me tell you about my recent excursion to the planet otherwise known as My Local Shopping Mall. I hope you can help.
1. Entering the alien atmosphere
Things began innocently enough: A. and I were properly attired in our spacesuits and helmets. Our spaceship was humming along, and we were using our star charts to find our way. Cool.
But then the planet’s surface came into view and things got dicey. Dozens of other spaceships circling, circling and circling the plant again. Just to find a spot to leave their ship.
Circling, circling and circling some more.
We finally resorted to following a female alien, loaded down with shopping bags, back to her ship. Staying just close enough that we could spring on her spot, but far enough that she wouldn’t turn us in to the alien po-po for stalking her.
At least we have a spot for our ship now, though.
2. Navigating the alien terrain
Aliens native to MLSM apparently don’t value the concept of a straight line being the shortest path from one location to another. I know this because there is no such thing as walking in a straight line as you attempt to negotiate the terrain of MLSM. Nope.
On the contrary, MLSM is laid out like an obstacle course with a variety challenges for you as you make your way.
Dodge that roving crowd of Wii Just Dance 3 performance artists!
Dip your head to avoid that enormous, looming cloud of sample perfume!
Duck behind a column to avoid the Teavana Free Sample Girl with a tray of scalding hot beverages in her hands and judgment in her eyes!
Are you sweating yet? Obvi.
I’m keeping it simple today.
Why? Because:
1. It’s Wednesday, which I understand to be the toughest day of the week. While I personally take issue with Tuesdays, I’m thinking it’s probably best to get right to the point.
2. This recipe is simple. We’re talking no-bake simple. Setting the simplicity tone.
[(buttery graham cracker crust + sweet agave nectar + fresh, ripe bananas)dulce de leche + rich whipped cream] – oven drama = amazing, effortless pie
Simple math.
