Fall Fun & Applesauce Spice Cake

Thought I would put up a picture of my tiny corn patch. I planted it very late, but I was so happy with the new raised beds my hubby and kids built for my birthday that I felt we had to plant something in them. I just love the look of corn patches. Also is a picture of Father and son giving our lab a much needed bath, before it is too cold outside to wash her. My sprinkler wand is attached to the chair with clamps, works great for cleaning big dogs.

Today is my bible study group comes over- every Monday night- and every Monday I make a dessert. I usually make cookies, but tonight I am in the mood for one of my favorite homemade cakes- Applesauce Spice Cake. It is a very easy recipe, and perfect fit for autumn. This recipe was passed down to me from my Grandma- my great grandma a.k.a.- Nana - used to make it. Hope you all give it a try.

Applesauce Spice Cake

2 1/2 c. flour

2 c. sugar

2 cups applesauce

1/2 c. shortening

1/2 c. water

2 eggs

1 1/2 t. baking powder

1 1/2 t. baking soda

1 t. vanilla

1 t. salt

1 t. cinnamon

1/2 t. ground cloves

1/2 t. ground allspice

1/2 t. ground nutmeg

1 c. raisins

1 c. ground walnuts (these are optional- I don't use them because of my allergy to tree nuts)

Preheat oven to 350 F.

The recipe just says to mix ingredients in a bowl, I mix wet ingredients first, then put the flour on top of the wet ingredients, then the other dry ingredients except raisins, I carefully mix the spices with the flour with a fork, then I mix it all with my electric hand mixer, until well blended, then I blend in the raisins. Pour into greased and floured cake pan- either 2- 9" rounds, I make mine in a bundt pan so I don't have to mess with frosting layers, you could also make it in a 9 x13. Bake for 30- 35 minutes. My bundt pan usually takes longer, I test done when a butter knife comes out from center clean.

Cool, then frost. This cake is best with homemade frosting. A good buttercream, or cream cheese frosting, or my favorite just a basic white frosting made with powdered sugar, 1/2 a stick of shortening, and milk, and a cap of vanilla. I have no recipe I just eye it, and taste it until it is the right flavor and consistency.

Well, I better get to baking, and tidying. I will update later this week on my needle felting, and my decluttering 5 things per day.