I really love the holiday season and the beautiful memories created each year.  There are so many ways to cherish and create traditions.  For me, the holidays are always surrounded with friends, family and entertaining.  Many may think I should be exhausted at a party from all the preparing, decorating, baking and cooking.  I must say I am finding out I must be a natural at this as it comes so easy and enjoyable.  My number one rule of thumb is “keep it simple” and don’t try to create dishes that are complicated and most of all ones you have never made before.  Second rule, plan ahead!

The past few weeks I have been touched by the many requests for recipes and help with a specific dish being created.  I decided to pull out my trusty black book….yes black book!  This was something I created I think in 1987 before google and ask Alexa for a recipe.  As I create this section of my blog you will see the patinaed and stained pages posted frequently.  They are such a fond memory of how keeping a personal journal can be so special.  This includes hand crafted photo albums, letters and cards received, recipes that resonate to those around you and most important a personal journal of your journey through life.My first introduction to one of favorites is a simple apple cake.  The first time I made this was for my late husband who at the time was my boyfriend in 1987.  Every year since this was his birthday cake and made multiple times throughout the winter season each year.  Found memories I cherish!  This past Thanksgiving my sweet 27 year old son asked for the recipe so he could bring it to a Friendsgiving.  He felt with a last name BAKER he should come bearing a home made baked dish.  OH, by the way, this apple cake keeps refrigerated up to 3 days!

UNA’S APPLE CAKE

Ingredients

½ cup butter – room temperature
½ cup sugar
2 eggs
1½ cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ cup milk
3 apples: peeled, cored and finely chopped
1 tablespoon sugar and ½ teaspoon cinnamon (for sprinkling on top)

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Cream butter and sugar
Add eggs one at a time while beating
Sift in ½ the flour and cinnamon
Fold in remaining flour and milk – alternating
Fold in apples
Pour mixture into greased pan
Arrange some sliced apple slices on top
Bake for about 40 minutes or until cooked
Place on cooling rack and sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top

I love to serve this a little warm with vanilla ice cream or my favorite is
cooling the cake and topping each slice with warm caramel sauce.
Warm Caramel recipe will be posted on the next blog. It is amazing and
once made it keeps in a glass jar refrigerated for two weeks.