The rich history of family traditions comes alive in Joanie Jager’s kitchen in Lynden, Washington, as she lovingly shares her grandmother’s treasured recipe for Grandma’s Applesauce Cake. A cherished heirloom passed down through generations, this moist and flavorful cake harks back to the Depression era when Grandma Stuit cooked for a large family of 13. This cake holds a special place in family reunions, where it quickly disappears from the dessert table, crumbs and all.
INGREDIENTS:
- ¾ cup raisins
- 1 cup hot water
- ½ cup shortening
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 egg
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1½ cups applesauce
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup chopped walnuts
- Confectioners’ sugar (optional)
PREPARATIONS:
- Soak raisins in hot water and set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg. Combine flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Add dry ingredients to the creamed mixture alternately with applesauce and water. Fold in drained raisins and chopped walnuts.
- Transfer the batter to a greased 13×9-inch baking pan. Bake at 300° for 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool on a wire rack. Dust with confectioners’ sugar, if desired. Serve warm or cold.
YIELD: Makes 12-16 servings.
PREP/BAKE TIME: 20 minutes preparation + 40 minutes baking.
Joanie Jager, from Lynden, Washington, embraces her family’s culinary legacy by sharing Grandma’s Applesauce Cake—a cherished heirloom recipe passed down through generations from her Grandma Stuit, who skillfully cooked for a family of 13 during the challenging times of the Depression era. This moist and flavorful cake, infused with the essence of tradition, holds a prominent place at family reunions, disappearing quickly from the dessert table, crumbs and all.
The timeless recipe begins with a soaking of raisins in hot water, adding a delightful burst of sweetness to the cake. As the kitchen fills with the aroma of this nostalgic creation, Joanie combines shortening and sugar, resulting in a light and fluffy mixture that she further enhances by incorporating an egg. The blend of all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg forms the heart of this delectable treat. Joanie skillfully alternates the dry ingredients with applesauce and water, creating a smooth and flavorful batter.
As Joanie gently folds in the plumped raisins and chopped walnuts, the cake gains character, promising a delightful surprise in every bite. Once baked to perfection, the cake takes its place in a greased 13×9-inch baking pan, cooling on a wire rack. The option to dust the cake with confectioners’ sugar adds a touch of elegance, making it equally suitable for both warm and cold servings.
With each slice of Grandma’s Applesauce Cake, the family is transported back to a time when simple ingredients and cherished traditions made mealtimes truly special. As Joanie serves this delightful treat with love, she invites loved ones to embrace their heritage, savoring not only the flavors but also the memories that come with it.
So, as family reunions and gatherings draw near, let the essence of Grandma’s Applesauce Cake create a heartwarming connection with the past. With each bite, savor the love and care that went into creating this treasured recipe, making it a lasting part of family celebrations and a delightful reminder of the generations that came before.
