Apple Cake

Lately I’ve been on such a baking kick. I’ve found myself rather uninspired when it comes to deciding what to make for dinner but if you ask me to whip up a sweet little something I will have trouble choosing from the flood of ideas that come to mind. The wonderful thing I find about baking is that it relaxes me. My house gets a little crazy these days with an incredibly demanding 1-year-old so it’s nice to be able to delve into baking. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy all areas of cooking however in the evening when I’m trying to get dinner on the table (and probably photographing it every step of the way) it’s just not as relaxing as taking my time in the afternoon and really being able to focus on my project.

With this apple cake, I was looking for something that would warm us during these exceptionally cold winter days we’ve been having lately. Both Mike and Maddy are big apple fans so that was my starting point. I also (as always) wanted something quick, easy and not overly fussy. Viola! Apple cake. It was the perfect thing. It’s wonderful warm, right out of the oven. Cinnamon kissed apples enveloped in moist cake… then a dusting of powdered sugar over the top makes it simple perfection.

The other beauty of this recipe is that it’s also wonderful the next day. This would make a wonderful brunch idea or could be served as a simple, not too sweet dessert. All you need is a good cup of coffee or a big glass of milk and you’re set.

Apple Cake

6 McIntosh apples

2 Tbsp lemon juice

2 Tbsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp allspice

1/4 c. sugar

2 3/4 c. flour

1 Tbsp baking powder

3/4 tsp salt

1 1/2 c. sugar

3/4 c. vegetable oil

1 c. applesauce

2 tsp vanilla

4 eggs

- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

- Grease a tube pan and set aside.

- Peel, core and dice the apples. Toss with the lemon juice as you go along to prevent browning.

- Combine the cinnamon, allspice and 1/4 cup sugar and toss with the apples.

- In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt.

- In a separate bowl, mix together the 1 1/2 cups of sugar, vegetable oil, applesauce and vanilla.

- Next, add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until incorporated then add the eggs one at a time, mixing after each addition.

- Pour half the batter into your prepared tube pan. Spoon half the apple mixture over the batter. Then cover the apples with the remaining batter and top with the remaining apples.