A Harvest Gathering

Happy Thursday, friends! It's been quite a while since I shared a recipe with you, and have I got a good one for you today. When we were out in California in January, my mom made Emi some apple cake that apparently made a huge impression, because she still asks for apple cake almost daily, and half the time we talk about California or my mom (who she calls "Baachan," Japanese for grandma), apple cake comes up in conversation. And I don't blame her. My own grandma made the same apple cake for me when I was a little girl, and it still tastes like home to me.

This recipe comes from the cookbook that my mom put together for the family when I was little. It's a true family treasure; everyone who owns a copy still uses it. My mom hand-lettered the entire thing, and pulled together family recipes that are entrenched in our family traditions. This recipe is timely--my mom is coming to visit tomorrow, and I can't wait to make this apple cake with her and with Emi.

Baachan's Apple Cake
Ingredients:
2c flour
2t cinnamon
2t salt
2t baking soda
4c apples (or more if you love apples), chopped coarsely
2c raisins (optional, highly recommended)
1/2c oil (I love to use olive oil when I'm baking, but canola works, too)
2 eggs
1.5c sugar

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Sift together the flour, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda. Add the apples, oil, eggs, and sugar.
Pour the bater into a greased and floured 9"x13" pan. Turn the oven down to 325 degrees. Bake about 1 hour.

Mary will be here tomorrow sharing some of her knife skills (let's hope this is the beginning of the end of me butchering everything with my chef's knife) as a kickoff to her kitchen basics series. Have a lovely weekend, everyone. I hope it's filled with family traditions (new or old) and some r&r if you're in need of it or get-up-and-go if you're in need of that. If you have a family recipe that is integral to your family, we'd love to hear about it!

Comments

[Nick and/or Lauren]

That sounds so good! Have a great visit.

[Emily]

it's in our oven baking right now! can't wait to try. say hi to your mother for me!! p.s. we love Baachan's book!

[Victoria]

I have a very similar apple cake recipe, and it is so good!

[miya]

Thanks, Nick/Lauren, so far, we're having a blast!
Emma, I can't wait to hear how it goes over with Eloise. Give our love to Drew Night-Night!
Victoria, do share!
xo