Grandparent’s Birthday Cake

Total Time

Prep: 20 min. Bake: 35 min. + cooling

Makes

12-16 servings

Updated: Oct. 16, 2022
From country handcrafter and homemaker Alberta McKay of Bartlesville, Oklahoma comes a fitting fall birthday cake for grandparents—one children and grandchildren will enjoy, too.—Alberta McKay, Bartlesville, Oklahoma

Ingredients

  • 2-2/3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1-2/3 cups sugar
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 cups chopped peeled tart apples
  • 3/4 cup chopped walnuts
  • FROSTING:
  • 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 2 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 to 1-1/4 cups chopped walnuts
  • Red food coloring, optional

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. In a bowl, whisk the eggs, oil and vanilla; add to dry ingredients and beat well. Fold in apples and walnuts (batter will be thick).
  2. Spread into two greased 9-in. round baking pans. Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
  3. For frosting, combine flour and milk in a saucepan until smooth. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1 minute. Set aside, uncovered, at room temperature for 20 minutes. In a large bowl, cream butter, sugar and vanilla. Add salt and cooked flour mixture; beat until smooth. If you wish to "write" on the cake with frosting, reserve 1/4 cup and tint with red food coloring; set aside. Use remaining frosting to frost between layers and on top and sides of cake. If desired, use the red frosting and a round decorator's tip to add "Happy Birthday" on top. Carefully press walnuts around sides. Store in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 561 calories, 34g fat (10g saturated fat), 73mg cholesterol, 379mg sodium, 58g carbohydrate (37g sugars, 2g fiber), 8g protein.