Wednesday, October 17, 2012

WFD?: Almost Grandpa's Apple Cake

Wednesday, October 17, 2012
My whole family is from Georgia.  But when I was 8 we moved to Texas and my grandma left her home in Albany and followed us.  So basically I'm a Texan.

So when I was little, my grandpa used to come visit us in Texas for the holidays.  He would leave Georgia right after pecan harvest season.  And when he would visit he would bring pecans, peanuts and all these fresh ingredients from the farms.  I have a lot of fond memories of him.  We would do jigsaw puzzles together in the afternoon.  He had an infectious laugh.  Sun tea and pumpkin pie were some of his his favorites.  He made the best Mayhaw jelly....

Anyway, every season when he would visit, there was always apple cake.  It was my favorite.  I snacked on it every second I could.  And since he passed over 10 years ago, there has been no apple cake.  I miss the apple cake.  Every year around the change of the seasons, I start to think of him.  Grandpa and apple cake.

On Grandma's milk glass....so appropriate :)



Needless to say for years I've been on the hunt for the apple cake that would remind me of the one he used to make.  And after A LOT of experimenting, I finally came up with a recipe that might not be exactly like his, but certainly must be close.  Oh the memories.....


Apple Cake

3 large firm fleshed apples of your choice (I used gala)
1 tbsp Apple Cider
Juice of 1/2 a lemon
3 cups all purpose flour
1 tbsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
3 large eggs
1 1/3 cups canola oil
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 serving cup of natural unsweetened apple sauce
1 cup chopped pecans (or more if you like it nutty)

Peel, core and chop the apples.  Put in a bowl and splash with apple cider and lemon.  Set aside.

Mix flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, soda, salt, and granulated sugar together in a bowl.  Whisk or sift.  Set aside.

In an electric mixer, beat eggs, oil, vanilla, apple sauce and brown sugar together.  Add dry ingredients.  Mix.  Add apples and pecans.  Batter will be thick.

Pour into a greased and floured 12 cup bunt pan.  (I just spray with Baking Pam).  Bake at 350 for 45min to 1 hour.  Remove from oven when a knife or skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.  Depending on your oven, it might take longer than an hour.  Just keep checking on it.

Let cool in pan.  Invert into a wire rack to let finish cooling.  Top with a dusting of powdered sugar if you like (I like).  Slice and EAT!!



This is GOOOOD.  It's spiced.  It's apple.  And it's SO moist.  Last one I made, I kept for 3 days before I finally cut into it.  Just as soft, tender, and deliciously moist as day one.  Just like Grandpa's apple cake was.  This absolutely reminds me of my childhood and the fall.  I highly encourage you to make this.



Apple Goodness.......mmmmmmmm......

I found a big set of the old puzzles we used to do together the other day.  Hopefully, when my little girl gets older, we can build some of the same memories together.  Jigsaw puzzles, sweet tea, shelling pecans and apple cake.  One of the many reasons fall is my favorite time of the year.  Above all others.

 Apple cake.





8 comments:

Anonymous said...

This sounds delicious - and such special memories. I love making food that reminds me of a loved one :)

Oh, and that is one beautiful bundt pan!!

Unknown said...

It looks scrumptious......and your photography is gorgeous. Go Ali! (I get to see you in TWO weeks! I can't wait. :))

Susie said...

I too love food with a story, and I can't think of a better way to pay tribute to someone special. And lucky me will see you and Pam in two weeks...so excited!

Manu said...

What a beautiful cake!!!
It's so chic...
xox

Lisa.lou said...

Sounds amazing!!!

heartoftexas said...

I'm sure Dad would do some revisions to your family history(such as he grew up in Memphis and Illinois, and we ALL know where he went to college... Roll Tide.) All kidding aside, I thought I would leave afew memories of Grandpa for those who read the comments on your blog:
I remember him trying to help me with my math homework once and I could tell he was frustrated at my... lack of comprehension. Grandma later told me he taught math "in his day" and I"m just now starting so understand how he felt. Also, he made the best butter beans ever. Amy can vouch for the collards, but I ate the butter beans until they were gone. Every. Time.
My favorite memory though(with the exception of the jigsaw puzzles,) is our walks in the hills. We collected these sandy red rocks and carved them into barbie furniture. He so loved watching us be creative.

Alison said...

Yes indeed. I didn't forget the rest of dads upbringing. But do you not recall his time in Gainsville??? Ask him about the fried chicken law :)
Yes I remember those woods too. And the cicada shells on the trees. Scary buggers.

Unknown said...

Love the recipe, love the milk glass even more!!!

 

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