my grandma's one bowl apple cake

I know I haven't been here very consistently this week. I also know you get it. When life becomes full, I find being outside with my children grounds me immensely. If I'm inside, there is far too much to distract me. Every corner seems to beckon with a to do list. And then, of course, there's the computer... my foe in the battle to remain a present and focused mother. So we step out...

In the midst of my happy news, I took the kids to our orchard down the road. Everything is down the road when you're out here. We knew our goal: apples for my grandmother's apple cake, our family's fall tradition.

If you follow me on twitter, you may remember me going on about it as it baked in the oven. The scent alone, makes me feel like my mother, sister, aunt, and grandma (all who use this recipe) are at my side. That's some powerful kitchen magic! My grandmother raised three children, ran the household, and directed a school within her home. A fabulous cook and busy woman, she knew the beauty of this recipe was the ease matched with such delicious results. So if you're looking for some simple and satisfying baking this weekend, this is it.

* Bonus: very fun opportunities for the entire family to help. Peeled apples, sliced in half & face down, can be cut with butter knives by smaller children.

One Bowl Apple Cake

Ingredients:

• 2 cups finely diced, peeled and cored apples
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 1 cup flour

Make:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Into large bowl add diced apples and sugar. Let stand for about 15 minutes.
• Pour in oil and egg. Stir.
• Add dry ingredients. Stir.
• Add vanilla and walnuts. Stir. It will be quite stiff, don't worry.
  
• Pour into a well greased and floured 8 inch square pan. Bake for 45 minutes @ 350 degrees.
  
• Cool in pan for 10 minutes on a cake rack.
• Dust top with confectioners sugar before serving.

My only variations are:
-I always double the recipe (otherwise, we have to make it again the next day).
-We omit nuts...my kids don't appreciate them the way I do.
-I only peel the apples if there's time. No one seems to care either way.


Happy baking! Happy weekend!