german apple cake

i literally ate my way through seattle this past weekend! while there, i picked up a treat for myself, the pike place market cookbook, which a collection of recipes, anecdotes, and personalities from seattle's renowned public market. i've been reading it like a novel ever since i arrived home. the following recipe not only intrigued me, but it caught the attention of one of my best friends. i have big plans of turning this into cupcakes. happy tasting!

courtesy of: woodring orchards, seattle, washington
serves: 12

- 2 large eggs
- 1/2c vegetable or canola oil
- 2c granulated sugar
- 2c all purpose flour
- 2tsp ground cinnamon
- 1tsp baking soda
- 1/2tsp kosher salt
- 1tsp pure vanilla extract
- 4c grated apples, medium grate (about 3 large, firm apples, such as fuji or granny smith)
- 1/2c chopped walnuts
- cream cheese icing (recipe follows)

1. preheat oven to 350. lightly grease a 9x13" baking pan or spray with nonstick cooking spray.

2. beat eggs and oil in a large mixing bowl until pale yellow and creamy, then add sugar, flour, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, and vanilla. stir until well blended, then add apples that have been drained of any juice that accumulates during grating. mix well and add walnuts.

3. pour dough into prepared baking pan and cook 35-45 min or until cake shrinks from sides of pan and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. cool cake on wire rack. when completely cooled, ice cake with cream cheese icing, cut into slices, and enjoy.

cream cheese icing
- 6oz cream cheese, softened
- 1tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1-1/2c sifted confectioner's sugar

1. beat cream cheese, butter, and vanilla with a wire whisk or electric mixer until smooth and fluffy. add confectioner's sugar a little at a time, until it is incorporated and icing is smooth.

image: sony family recipes