Apple Cake

This recipe (though not a cookie) has become a family favorite.   

My mom found it in her Good Housekeeping magazine and it comes courtesy of Paula Deen (y'all).

I had never made it before, but it seemed pretty straight forward and it turned out fantastic!   I did learn that with this recipe you CANNOT substitute butter or margerine for the oil.




Ingredients:

• 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 3 1/2 cups chopped Granny Smith apples
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 3 large eggs

(confectioners' sugar for dusting)

Directions:

1)   Preheat oven to 325.  Coat 10 inch tube pan with removable bottom with nonstick cooking spray with flour.  (flouring your pan the traditional way works just fine)

2)   In a large bowl with mixer on medium high speed, beat granulated sugar, oil and eggs until well blended.  With mixer on low speed, gradually add flour mixture.  Fold in your apples (batter will be thick).  Spoon batter into prepared pan, scattering remaining apple over top of batter and gently press in with fingers.
   
3)   Bake 1 1/2 hours or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.  Cool in pan on wire rack until completely cooled. Unmold cake, place on serving plate and serve either plain or with a light dusting of powdered sugar.

each serving is about 510 calories, 7 g protein, 65 carb, 26 g total fat, 2 g fiber, 53 mg cholesterol, 315 mg sodium