I was in Colorado this past week. It was a complete delight speaking at a retreat in the mountains and meeting with my publisher in Colorado Springs about my second book (which I will begin writing this winter.) I stayed in a tiny houseIt was glorious there. I got to wear some jackets and boots and jeans which means that all is well in my world. Fall is my favorite anyhow and Colorado is securely in the midst of it.
Then I came home to South Carolina and it’s still hotter than the armpit of a fat summer hog here. I’ve decided to will fall to come though. I’m going to keep wearing jeans and boots and if I sweat like a stuck pig then so be it.
My family picked apples this afternoon which has long been a favorite tradition of mine. The crowds were insanity and it made me miss all the years I picked at this same perfect little place before the free world discovered it. Now it’s crowded and dusty and hard to find good apples within reach, and that makes me sad. Also, my sense of rightness kicks in and I find myself insanely annoyed when I see people picking my most favorite Pink Lady apples nearly a month early despite the fact that all the signs say “NOT READY…NO PICKING” around those trees. It’s all I can do to not shout and tell them…it’s possible that I might have done it once or twice. Pink Lady apples are my favorite and we really need to be concerned about decimating the crop before it’s time.
Anyhow…we have to either find a new place or a new day and time to go, because I felt very sad about the chaos of what used to be a serene location. We still had fun and got some yummy apples though.
I’m hosting some ladies for prayer at my house tomorrow morning though and I decided to make a little something yummy with the spoils of our adventure today. Technically this is called cake, but I’m not so sure that it’s all that different than a breakfast bread, and if you put it in a loaf pan then I’m certain you can serve it any time of day.
I do love a good old timey recipe and I’ve posted this one before. It’s good enough to mention again though. This apple cake recipe was from my great grandmother….Meme. It’s just the right amount of crisp on top and gooey inside with chunks of fruit and the perfect touch of sweetness and spices. It’s a keeper ya’ll….and it’s been in my family for a good long time.
Beckon fall with me won’t you?
Meme’s Old Timey Apple Cake
- 3 cups unsifted flour
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 cup mayonnaise (Meme recommended Hellmans)
- 1/3 cup milk
- 2 eggs
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp cloves
- 3 cups chopped, peeled apples
- 1 cup raisins
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
Mix in first 10 ingredients on low speed, scraping bowl frequently. Stir in apples, raisins, and nuts. Spoon into whatever pans you want. Meme used 9″ cake pans and frosted layers with whipped cream in between. I have used a bundt pan, loaf pans, and muffin tins. Whatever you use, grease it first and bake at 350. I’ve found that for loaf pans, it takes 30-45 min….about 45 min-1 hr for bundt pans, and about 25-30 min for muffins. Make sure you eat a little bit warm, but this will keep well if you want to double up and freeze some too.
Happy fall ya’ll! Enjoy!
Meme’s Apple Cake (here is a printable of the recipe on a 5×7 card!)
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