Apple Harvest Cake

This recipe was given to me by a dear friend, Michelle, over 25 years ago.  The recipe was from her grandmother, and passed down to Michelle.  Apple Cakes are a Fall Harvest-Time favorite and this is a good one.  Michigan grows an amazing variety of apples, and the Macomb County Orchards are among the best in the state.  Take a drive out to The Village of Romeo next summer and treat yourself to some just-picked goodness.  Enjoy!

Ingredients

1 ¼ cups cooking oil

2 cups sugar

3 eggs

2 cups self-rising flour

3 cups chopped apples (I use MacIntosh apples, but you can use any good, sweet baking apple)

1 teaspoon pure vanilla

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 cup chopped walnuts (optional, but I never omit the nuts)

Directions

Combine sugar and eggs with mixer on low speed, or by hand with a whisk.  Mix thoroughly. 

Add flour and continue mixing.

Add remaining ingredients and mix thoroughly. 

Grease and flour 13x9 inch baking pan. 

Bake in 325 degree oven.  45-60 minutes until toothpick clean.

Variation:  Before baking, drizzle caramel sauce over the top of the cake mix….mmmmm, so good!

Note:  This recipe really doesn’t need any frosting, however, if you want something:  sprinkle confectioner’s sugar on the top, or use a glaze of confectioner’s sugar and water.