Cinnamon Apple Cake

Since Fall is upon us,  we decided to go apple and pumpkin picking with our friends and dogs - it's only the right thing to do in early October. We went to Melick's Orchard in Oldwick, NJ, all decked out in flannels. We got to pick all different types of apples, pumpkins, and gourds. My husband and I some how came home with 35 pounds of apples. In addition to eating an apple a day, I had to cook with them too... the first thing I made with them was apple cake. I almost think I like it better than apple pie, believe it or not, and it is way easier to make. Here's how it's done...

Ingredients: 9 inch pan (round or square is fine) - I made two, so I made one of each.

• 4 cups Apples, peeled and cut into cubes
• 2 Eggs
• 1 cup Canola Oil
• 2 cups All-Purpose Flour
• 1 cup White Granulated Sugar
• 3/4 cup Light Brown Sugar
• 1 tsp Baking Soda
• 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 2 tsp Ground Cinnamon 
• Zest of 1/2 of a Lemon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 9 inch square or round pan.

Mix the eggs and oil in a bowl with an electric mixer or whisk by hand. 

Add the cinnamon, sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, lemon zest and mix well. 

Add in the flour, salt, baking soda and whisk until well-blended. 

Fold in the apples. The batter is very thick so you will need a heavy duty spatula or you can mix it by hand.

Pour the batter into your greased pan and bake for 45 minutes or until it is done. Stab it with a knife, if it comes out dry then it is done.

 Let cool for 15-20 minutes. Dust with confectioners sugar to decorate before serving.