Apple-Anise-Almond Sour Cream Cake

Request number two from the peanut gallery: apple cake. I woke up this morning, intent on fulfilling Dylan's culinary request, but I discovered that I had no sugar in the house. And I wasn't about to hoof it to the store before six in the morning, so I substituted some ginger syrup. The fact that the boys practically licked their plates tell me, it was good.

1 C ginger syrup
2 T canola oil
4 eggs
2 C all-purpose flour
1/2 t smoked sea salt
1/2 t baking powder
1/2 t baking soda
1-1/2 C sour cream
3 C sliced and peeled apples
1 T anise seeds

1/2 t each ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and ground ginger

sliced almonds

In large bowl mix together the syrup, oil, eggs, and sour cream. Stir together the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and spices. Stir flour mixture into the egg mixture. Fold the sliced apples into the batter. Spoon the batter into a buttered pan. Smooth with spatula.

Sprinkle the sliced almonds over the top. Bake at 350 degrees for 60 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on rack. Make a glaze of powdered sugar and milk. Drizzle over cake.

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