Grandma Rodger's Apple Cake
And my variation ~ Cherry Walnut Cake
When I married John a few years ago, not only did I win a sweet & wonderful man, but I gained a warm family AND the recipe for this mouthwatering apple walnut cake.
The story, as told to me by John’s mother Anna, was that many years ago, the family had apple orchards. Since they didn't want to waste all the apples that fell off the trees, Grandma Rodgers- John’s grandmother - use to make this apple cake.
I “discovered “this cake on one of my first visits to John’s mother’s house. She made it for a family gathering, and after the first bite, I immediately asked for the recipe. John’s sister Joann was kind enough to share it with me shortly thereafter. I’ve been making it ever since and it’s been winning endless compliments. I’ve incorporated it onto the breakfast menu of Oz Catering, and at times I bake it in a muffin or a mini muffin form.
It’s such a great and easy-to-make recipe, and since I love experimenting with food, I’ve decided to make my own seasonal version of it and make it a Cherry chocolate & walnut cake. I’ve replaced the apples with fresh cherries. Pitting the cherries might look like a lot of work, but it took me 5 minutes and is worth the effort. I substituted the vegetable oil with walnut oil, the coffee with brandy mixed with cacao powder, and the nutmeg with cardamom. The recipes for both versions are down below, and I also encourage you to experiment and share your own version of any of my recipes.
GRANDMA'S APPLE CAKE
9" x 13" baking dish, preheat oven to 350 degrees
Ingredients:
In a bowl mix together:
CHERRY WALNUT CAKE
The story, as told to me by John’s mother Anna, was that many years ago, the family had apple orchards. Since they didn't want to waste all the apples that fell off the trees, Grandma Rodgers- John’s grandmother - use to make this apple cake.
I “discovered “this cake on one of my first visits to John’s mother’s house. She made it for a family gathering, and after the first bite, I immediately asked for the recipe. John’s sister Joann was kind enough to share it with me shortly thereafter. I’ve been making it ever since and it’s been winning endless compliments. I’ve incorporated it onto the breakfast menu of Oz Catering, and at times I bake it in a muffin or a mini muffin form.
It’s such a great and easy-to-make recipe, and since I love experimenting with food, I’ve decided to make my own seasonal version of it and make it a Cherry chocolate & walnut cake. I’ve replaced the apples with fresh cherries. Pitting the cherries might look like a lot of work, but it took me 5 minutes and is worth the effort. I substituted the vegetable oil with walnut oil, the coffee with brandy mixed with cacao powder, and the nutmeg with cardamom. The recipes for both versions are down below, and I also encourage you to experiment and share your own version of any of my recipes.
GRANDMA'S APPLE CAKE
9" x 13" baking dish, preheat oven to 350 degrees
Ingredients:
In a bowl mix together:
- 3 c. flour
- 1 tsp. soda
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. nutmeg
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 2 c. sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 c. oil
- ¼ c. cold coffee
- 2 tsp. vanilla
- 1 c. chopped nuts (I use walnuts)
- 3 c. chopped unpeeled raw apples
CHERRY WALNUT CAKE
9 by 13 inches baking dish, preheat oven to 350 degrees
In a bowl mix together:- 3 c. flour
- 1 tsp. soda
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. nutmeg
- 1 tsp. cardamom
- 2 c. sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 c. walnut oil
- ¼ c. brandy, heated & mixed with a tsp of cacao powder, then cooled off
- 2 tsp. vanilla
- 1 c. chopped nuts (I use walnuts)
- 3 c. pitted cherries