Gran’s Apple Cake

Name: Gran's Apple Cake
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 18 servings.
Ingredients: 1-2/3 cups sugar; 2 large Nellie’s Free Range Eggs; 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce; 2 tablespoons canola oil; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 2 teaspoons baking soda; 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 3/4 teaspoon salt; 6 cups chopped peeled tart apples; 1/2 cup chopped pecans; FROSTING:; 4 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese; 2 tablespoons butter, softened; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 cup confectioners' sugar

My grandmother occasionally brought over this wonderful cake warm from the oven. The spicy apple flavor combined with the sweet cream cheese frosting made this dessert a treasured recipe. Even though I've lightened it up, it's still a family favorite. —Lauris Conrad, Turlock, California

Ingredients

1-2/3 cups sugar
2 large Nellie’s Free Range Eggs
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 tablespoons canola oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon salt
6 cups chopped peeled tart apples
1/2 cup chopped pecans
FROSTING:
4 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup confectioners' sugar

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. Coat a 13x9-in. baking pan with cooking spray.
In a large bowl, beat sugar, eggs, applesauce, oil and vanilla until well blended. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; gradually beat into sugar mixture. Fold in apples and pecans.
Transfer to prepared pan. Bake 35-40 minutes or until top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack.
In a small bowl, beat cream cheese, butter and vanilla until smooth. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar (mixture will be soft). Spread over cake. Refrigerate leftovers.

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 241 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 29mg cholesterol, 284mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (30g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.

Originally published as Gran's Apple Cake in Quick Cooking November/December 2003

Reviews

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Average Rating:

gramcayo

Jul 15, 2018

I don't understand why folks advertise a cake as Grandmas old favorite then "lighten it up"......... I often change a recipe (i.e. using applesauce but please........ I want to see what Grandma offered! Thanks.
cindiak

Mar 21, 2018

This cake is so yummy. I also diced the apples and left out the raisins. It's good with or without the icing.
Linda

Jan 19, 2018

This is very good cake but if I’m making it for a smaller group it’s to much I’m wondering if I can freeze some of it
diannevdv

Sep 29, 2017

Best apple cake recipe ever!! Do double the frosting ; I did use real butter in the cake (no oil) and in the frosting. I always use butter in baking. I used regular cream cheese. Perfect.
lhojnacki

Sep 29, 2017

Excellent moist cake. Easy to put together. I agree with other reviewers that dicing the apples makes it even better. The cake is loaded with apples. I personally do not put in the nuts or raisins, but I am sure both are great options. The frosting is delicious as well. Definite 5 stars on this one !!
Stacey4gop

Sep 28, 2017

So moist and deliousous. Love apple cake but this one really stands out!
jsk68

Sep 14, 2017

AWESOME APPLE CAKE: I made this cake without the icing and it was incredible. I have used several different apple cake recipes in the past but never one that uses 6 cups of diced apples. It's loaded with apples. I intend to throw out all other apple cake recipes and keep this one. IT REALLY IS THAT GOOD!
tsuop

Sep 7, 2017

This cake is excellent. Sometimes I sprinkle cinn. & sugar & nuts on top before baking & eliminate the icing.
Al

Aug 30, 2017

I live apple cake this one looks n sounds great.
cside28

May 1, 2017

Very nice and moist, will make again