Apple Cake

Sometimes you have to make a real dessert, not a "healthified dessert". You need to dive in 100% and make a dessert that tastes like the world will end after you take the first bite. For those of you who are not chocolate lowers, this recipe will rock your world! This Apple Cake recipe is a classic dessert from my fiance. We make this cake for each other's birthday, if we have a special potluck event to attend, or whenever we need to "WOW" our friends. Today I made the Apple Cake for my neighbor who shovels my driveway every time it snows. It is easy, fast, and simple to make! When I brought it over to their house, they were very excited and I could see their eyes light up as they looked it over.   

AND...I was so excited to give them the cake that I forgot to take a picture of it after I took it out of the oven! oops!

Although this recipe is not low in calories, it is free of butter which contains unhealthy saturated fat and uses canola oil which is high in mono and polyunsaturated fats that are more heart healthy. If you are interested in lowering the sugar content, use Splenda or Stevia in place of half the sugar. You can also add 1 cup of whole wheat flour in place of white flour. 

A few key tips before making this recipe:
1. The dough is dry, but if you add milk or water to make the dough more moist, the recipe WILL NOT WORK. If you do add milk, add 1-2 tbsp at the most. 
2. I mix all the wet and dry ingredients together, then use my hands to work in the apples. The oil in the dough will ensure the cake will not turn out dry. I was skeptical the first time I made the recipe by myself, but trust me and follow the directions. 

Apple Cake
Servings: 20

Ingredients:
1 cup canola oil
2 cups granulated sugar
2 eggs
3 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 tbsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla
4 cups chopped apples (2 large or 3 medium apples)

1. Mix oil, sugar, vanilla and eggs in a bowl and set aside.
2. In a separate bowl mix flour, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon. 
3. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix. The dough may feel dry at first, but continue to stir 2-3 minutes until the dough is moist.
4. Add the apples and mix in with your hands. Place dough in a greased 9x13" glass baking dish. Bake for 55 minutes at 375 degrees. It should be a beautiful golden brown. After the apple cake is done, let it cool for 30-60 minutes before serving. I usually make the cake the night before I need it as it stays extremely moist.

Nutrition Information:
Calories: 260
Protein: 2.4g
Fat: 11.4g
Carbohydrates: 38g
Fiber: 1.1 g
Sodium: 122mg