Grandma's Apple Nut Cake

This is my husband's favorite. His mom gave it to us many years ago. I have refined the recipe just a little since then. Please don't tell her...hehe. It doesn't need a frosting because it is so yummy just by itself, but it would dress it up to drizzle with a thin creamy icing. I had misplaced this recipe for the longest time and had thought I had lost it, so I hadn't made it for ages. My husband found it this weekend and I have made it twice since then. Both times it was gone before it was even all the way cooled, thanks to our 5 daughters. My husband and I barely managed to claim a few bites before it disappeared. I'm posting it here to share with everyone and to keep it from ever getting lost again. It's definately a keeper.

• Ready In: 1 hr 10 mins
• Serves: 16

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup  any kind brown sugar (dark is best)
• 1  cup sugar
• 1⁄4 cup  oil
• 1⁄4 cup butter, very soft
• 2  eggs
• 2  teaspoons vanilla
• 2  cups flour
• 2  teaspoons cinnamon
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 2  teaspoons baking soda
• 4  cups  raw apples, peeled cored,and diced (2 large or 3 medium or 4 small)
• 1  cup  coarsely chopped walnuts

Directions

1. Grease and flour a 9x13 baking pan.
2. Preheat oven to 325 F.
3. Sift dry ingredients into a bowl and set aside.
4. In another mixing bowl, stir together the first six ingredients, then fold in the dry ingredients, followed by the apples and nuts.
5. Spread in the prepared pan.
6. The batter will be thick.
7. Bake until it tests done by poking it with a toothpick in the center.
8. If it comes out dry it is done.
9. Baking time will be approximately 40 mins, plus or minus.