Plug's Apple Hand Cake

Plug was my Mom's nickname, acquired as a child when an uncle told her she was uglier than a plug nickle (nice uncle, huh?). When she passed away in 1991 at the age of 83, most of her 24 grandchildren referred to her as Plug Cooper. Plug was a country cook who never owned measuring spoons and rarely used measuring cups; truly a Rachael Ray type personality who used a handful of this, a pinch of that & cooked things till they "smelled done". As the youngest of her 10 children, I was lucky to have one-on-one time with her & gather enough knowledge to preserve her recipes. And it was no easy task since my hands are half the size her's were! On to the cake - I've tried lots of apple cake recipes and still consider this one the benchmark. We called it "hand cake" since it was never iced & easy to grab & run.

• Ready In: 1 hr 30 mins
• Serves: 12

Ingredients

• 2  cups sugar
• 1⁄2 cup  vegetable oil
• 3  eggs
• 4  cups tart apples, peeled and diced
• 1⁄2 cup pecan pieces
• 1⁄2 cup golden raisin

• Sift together

• 2  cups flour
• 1  teaspoon cinnamon
• 1⁄2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 2  teaspoons baking soda

Directions

1. Beat the sugar, oil and eggs together.
2. Stir in the apples, pecans & raisins.
3. Add sifted, dry ingredients, mixing well.
4. Pour into a greased 9x13" baking pan.
5. Bake at 350º for 45 - 60 minutes or until it tests done (or smells done).
6. Optional: Can also stir into batter 1/2 cup chopped dates and/or 1/2 cup coconut.