Mabon ~ Autumn Equinox ~ Apple Yoghurt Cake

 

Mabon ~ Autumn Equinox, September 22nd to September 29th in the Northern Hemisphere, celebrates Autumn... the Autumn Equinox and the second harvest. It is also known as Harvest Home, the Feast of the Ingathering, Meán Fómhair, An Clabhsúr and Alban Elfed (in Neo-Druid traditions). At this time the moon is at its closest and is known as the Harvest Moon. Not only marking the midway point of harvest season it also marks the midway point between Summer and Winter.   

Summer has turned to Autumn. Night and day are of equal length, and as the sun begins to wane, the nights grow longer and the days shorter and cooler. The leaves begin to turn and fall from the trees and the flowers are fading. Think rest, reflection and giving thanks as we gather and celebrate abundance and transition. 

Other Autumn celebrations and festivals at this time are: Stonehenge Sunrise (UK), Dożynki (Slavic, August 15th/28th, September 23rd in Poland), The Snake of Sunlight (Maya & Mexico), Higan (Japan), Moon Festival (China & Vietnam), Michaelmas (Global, Christian), Chuseok (Korea) and Navaratri (Hindu, September 26th to October 5th, Goddess Durga), Rosh Hashanah (Judaism, Usually September, sometimes October), Yom Kippur, Judaism, late September, Sukkot, Judaism late September usually October, International Talk Like a Pirate Day (Global) September 19th, World Peace Day September 21st (Global) and Ganesh Chaturthi (Hindu). 

Apples are symbolic not only of Autumn but of Mabon too. This lightly spiced butter cake is lovely around this time of year to celebrate both Mabon and the Autumn Equinox. 

Apple Yoghurt Cake

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Serves 9

1/2 cup (125 ml) butter, softened 

1/2 cup (125 ml) dark brown sugar

1/4 cup (50 ml) white sugar 

2 eggs

1 cup (250 ml) plain Greek yoghurt

1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla extract 

2 cups (500 ml) all purpose flour

1 teaspoon (5 ml) baking powder

1 teaspoon (5 ml) baking soda

1/4 teaspoon (1 ml) salt

2 teaspoons (10 ml) ground cinnamon

2 cups (500 ml) diced unpeeled apples

Extra slices of apples for decorating

Icing sugar

Caramel sauce when serving 

Preheat oven to 350ºF (180ºC). Butter and flour a 9 - inch square baking pan and line the bottom with baking parchment. 

Dice the apples and set aside.

In a medium bowl combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and ground cinnamon. Stir together.

In a large bowl, using a handheld mixer cream butter, brown sugar and white sugar until light and fluffy. Then beat in the eggs until smooth.  Add the yoghurt and vanilla extract and blend until smooth.

Add the flour mixture to the creamed butter mixture and stir until blended. Fold in the diced apples. 

Pour the batter into the prepared square pan. Smooth the top of the cake and place  extra slices of apples on top. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Bake for 45 - 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean. Cool in the pan on a wire rack. Once cool sprinkle with icing sugar and serve with a drizzle of caramel sauce or custard.   

 

Mabon ~ Autumn Equinox ~ Apple Walnut Squares

 

Mabon ~ Autumn Equinox, September 23rd to September 29th in the Northern Hemisphere, celebrates Autumn... the Autumn Equinox and the second harvest. It is also known as Harvest Home, the Feast of the Ingathering, Meán Fómhair, An Clabhsúr and Alban Elfed (in Neo-Druid traditions). At this time the moon is at its closest and is known as the Harvest Moon. Not only marking the midway point of harvest season it also marks the midway point between Summer and Winter.   

Summer has turned to Autumn. Night and day are of equal length, and as the sun begins to wane, the nights grow longer and the days shorter and cooler. The leaves begin to turn and fall from the trees and the flowers are fading. Think rest, reflection and giving thanks as we gather and celebrate abundance and transition. 

Other Autumn celebrations and festivals at this time are: Stonehenge Sunrise (UK), Dożynki (Slavic, August 15th/28th, September 23rd in Poland), The Snake of Sunlight (Maya & Mexico), Higan (Japan), Moon Festival (China & Vietnam), Michaelmas (Global, Christian), Chuseok (Korea) and Navaratri (Hindu, September 26th to October 5th, Goddess Durga), Rosh Hashanah (Judaism, Usually September, sometimes October), Yom Kippur, Judaism, late September, Sukkot, Judaism late September usually October, International Talk Like a Pirate Day (Global) September 19th, World Peace Day September 21st (Global) and Ganesh Chaturthi (Hindu). 

A light sponge cake studded with apples and walnuts all on a shortbread crust, a most luscious way to honour and celebrate Mabon. 

Happy Mabon and Autumn Equinox to everyone!

   

Apple Walnut Squares

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1 1/2 cups (325ml) unbleached all purpose flour

1/4 cup (50ml) icing sugar

1/2 cup (125ml) butter

2 eggs

3/4 cup (175ml) brown sugar

1 teaspoon (5ml) vanilla extract

2 cups (500ml) diced peeled apples

1/4 cup (50ml) chopped walnuts

1 teaspoon (5ml) baking powder

Preheat oven to 350ºF (180ºC).

Sift 1 cup (250ml) flour and icing sugar into a small bowl. Melt butter and blend into flour mixture. Press mixture into an 8-inch square baking pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside. 

Beat the eggs and brown sugar together in a large bowl until thick. Stir in the vanilla, apples and walnuts.

Sift the remaining flour and baking powder in a small bowl. Stir into the egg mixture. Spread over baked pastry. Bake in the the preheated oven for 35 minutes or until browned. Cut into squares when cool. Dust with icing sugar before serving.

 

Mabon ~ Autumn Equinox and Somerset Apple Cake

 

Mabon, September 21st to 29th in the Northern Hemisphere, celebrates the turning of Autumn and the Autumnal Equinox which also marks the second harvest. The full moon is at its closest during this equinox and is known as the Harvest Moon. 

Night and day are of equal length however the sun begins to wane and the nights are drawing in and growing longer and the days shorter and cooler. The leaves are beginning to turn, the birds are preparing to fly away, the grass begins to brown and the flowers are fading. Summer turns to autumn... it is a time of abundance, transition, reflection and gratitude. Time to look ahead to the waning of the season and start making winter preparations. Think rest, reflection, gratitude and abundance.  

Herbs associated with Mabon are sage, rosemary, lavender, rue, yarrow and cinnamon; Flowers, plants and trees are sunflowers, marigolds, hibiscus, red poppies, thistle, fern, and oak tree. Symbols are the apple, acorns, leaves, pine cones and the cornucopia. Colours are green, red, yellow, orange brown and gold. Animals associated with Mabon are dogs, wolves, the stag, blackbirds, the owl, salmon and goats. 

Things you may do to celebrate Mabon together, with friends or family, or in solitude are: Go apple picking, clean your house and get rid of any stagnate energy, write in a journal, make a gratitude list, go for a walk, connect with nature, make a corn doll, burn candles in Mabon colours , bake bread or apple recipes or make apple cider.

Mabon foods are seasonal and usually consist of apples, pomegranates, squash, grapes, dried fruits, corn, wheat and rye breads, seeds and nuts, potatoes, carrots and onions as well as cider and wine. This Somerset Apple Cake is a lovely recipe to make and enjoy during Mabon. Happy Mabon/Autumn Equinox! - JD 

Somerset Apple Cake

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

250 grams ( 1 and 1/2 cups) unbleached all purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon mixed spice

175 grams ( 3/4 cups or 1 and 1/2 sticks) butter, softened

175 grams (1 cup) brown sugar

2 cups chopped apples with skins

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 cup dry cider

additional brown sugar for sprinkling 

thin apple slices for decorating

Preheat oven to 325ºF (170ºC). Grease and flour a 7 inch baking cake tin. Line the bottom with baking parchment.

In a bowl sieve the flour and mixed spice together. 

In a large bowl add the butter and brown sugar, beat until soft and creamy.

Place the chopped apples in a medium bowl, add the cider and baking soda, quickly mix together, then add to the butter mixture and stir together until combine, add the flour and spice mixture and stir until a thick batter has formed.

Spoon the dough into the prepared cake tin. Smoothing the top. Place the thinly sliced apple slices however you wish on top, I placed them in a circle. Sprinkle with brown sugar.

Bake in the preheated oven for 60 to 90 minutes or until firm.

 

Harvest Spread

Celebrating Mabon or Autumn... Autumn Equinox is a delight. There are many things one can make or do and share to give thanks to the fruits of the earth during the cooler months ahead. This Harvest Spread is one of many delicious recipes you can create to celebrate.    

Harvest Spread

------------------------------------------------------------------------

1 cup tart apple, cored and finely diced

1 cup celery, finely chopped

1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated

2 pkgs (80z each) cream cheese bricks

1 tablespoon mayonaise

1 tablespoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

Prepare the ingredients as stated. Place all the ingredients in to a large bowl. Mix with a wooden spoon until blended. Refrigerate for several hours before serving. Serve with crackers and rustic  slices of bread or spread on toast.