Fall. I love it.

Fall is my favorite season. It brings back memories of returning to college, football games (really the tailgates), the smell of leaves, the ritual of the boys helping their dad raking the yard (a good memory for me, lots of work for them!)fresh apples and Asian pears, and other comfort food. It's the time of year I feel most invigorated.

Below is a recipe from North Star Orchards for a wonderful apple cake. I have had most success making it in loaf pans as it sometimes sticks and the top comes off in a bundt pan. Plus making it in the 2 loaf pans allows you to not feel guilty when you eat a piece for breakfast...it looks like a quick bread that way. It is truly delicious...make sure to make the glaze as well, it gives an added umph.

Apple Cake

Ingredients
1 cup sugar
1 cup packed dark brown sugar (or TJ’s)
1 1/2 cup vegetable/canola oil
3 eggs
1 t vanilla
3 cup peeled & chopped apples
1 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans) or raisins/cranberries or Trader Joes dried mixed berries (or 1/2 cup of nuts and 1/2 cup dried fruit)
3 cup flour
1/2 t baking soda
1 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
1/2 t cinnamon
1/4 t ground cloves
1/2 t mace or ground nutmeg 

Optional glaze:
1/2 cup butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup milk
2 T bourbon or cider.

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Grease a tube pan or 2 loaf pans
3. Combine sugars, oil eggs, and vanilla; mix thoroughly.
4. Sift or whisk together dry ingredients then add to the egg-sugar mixture. Mix until just combined.
5. Fold in nuts and apples. Batter will be very lumpy.
6. Put batter in pan(s).
7. Bake in tube pan for 60-80 minutes or in loaf pans for 45-60 minutes.
8. Cake is done when inserted skewer comes out clean. Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then release to a serving plate.
For glaze: 
In medium saucepan, combine ingredients. Over medium heat, stir continually until butter melts and mixture is combined. Heat to a boil , stirring occasionally & boil for 3 minutes. Remove from heat and add bourbon or cider. Spoon warm glaze over warm cake.