apple cake

Rainy days usually mean one thing. Baking. And with a drawer full of apples in the fridge, apple cake was on the menu. The boys were quick to drag over their chairs and watch me peel and chop all the apples. I put in some extras to peel to accommodate my snackers. It was a wise choice. Nathaniel ate a whole one while watching.

This was another easy recipe. I changed things a bit in the recipe. Next time I might substitute some whole wheat flour for the all purpose. I also used the orange juice that was called for. I might use apple cider the next time to boost the apple flavour. Feel free to make these changes yourself.

Apple Cake - adapted from Smitten Kitchen
6 apples, I used a variety of what I had on hand (Macintosh, Paula Red, Gala)
1 tablespoon cinnamon
5 tablespoons sugar
2 3/4 cups flour, sifted
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup canola oil
1/3 cup applesauce
2 cups sugar
1/4 cup orange juice
2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
4 eggs
1 cup walnuts, chopped (optional) - I didn't add any

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a tubepan. Peel, core and chop apples into chunks. Toss with cinnamon and sugar and set aside.
Stir together flour, baking powder and salt in a large mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, oil, applesauce, orange juice, sugar and vanilla. Mix wet ingredients into the dry ones. Scrape down the bowl to ensure all ingredients are incorporated.
Pour half of batter into prepared pan. Spread half of apples over it. Pour the remaining batter over the apples and arrange the remaining apples on top. Bake for about 1 1/2 hours, or until a tester comes out clean.