Apple Cake

We went camping with 10 friends from work this weekend.  You never would have heard me say that several years ago.  Camping was not our thing.  To us, roughing it was staying in a hotel without a pool.  But between friends at work and my brother and his family, we've come over to the dark side. 

My very kind brother broke us in gently by providing us with heated and air-conditioned RV's, complete with stoves, refrigerators, and microwave ovens.  Not so with the people from work.  They really rough it — only tent camping for them!  So now we're campers, of a sort, and owners of our very own tent.  Who would've ever thought?!

One thing we always do on these trips is split up the meal preparation duties.  So we signed up to make dinner for everybody the first evening.  We brought brats that I precooked in apple cider, and everyone roasted them on skewers over the campfire that evening.  Italian potato salad, cucumber and tomato salad, chips, and apple cake completed the meal.

Here is the recipe to the apple cake I brought.  It creates a dense and moist cake that is really quite wonderful.  My friend Holly, who makes it every fall for our small group Bible study, gave it to me — twice.  I lost the first copy.  Thanks for being so patient with me, Holly. :)


4 c peeled and finely diced apples
2 c sugar
3 c flour
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1 1/4 c vegetable oil or melted butter (I use butter.)
1 c chopped walnuts, toasted (optional )

Combine apples, sugar, flour and cinnamon; toss to mix well.  Add soda and salt.  Beat eggs and add with vanilla extract and vegetable oil (or melted butter).  Mix well.  Grease a 9 x 13 pan and pour in batter.  Flatten down with a spatula.  Bake in 350 degree oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.  Cool completely.  Spread with cream cheese frosting and sprinkle with walnuts, if desired. Store in refrigerator.

Frosting:

8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 c butter, softened
2 tsp vanilla extract
3 3/4 to 4 c powdered sugar

With a mixer, beat together the cream cheese and butter.  Add the other ingredients and blend well.