Raw Brown Sugar Apple Cake

Submitted by Yia Yia

"This is an family recipe from my husband's family, from his great-grandmother. They were from the South and there is a note on the recipe card "Civil War Recipe". It's a little different from the others posted, and very good."

 

• Ready In: 1hr 20mins
• Ingredients: 13
• Serves: 16-20

ingredients

• 2 1⁄2 cups brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup shortening (scant)
• 1 cup cold brewed coffee
• 2 teaspoons baking soda (mixed in the coffee)
• 3 cups chopped raw apples
• 1⁄2 cup nuts
• 2 cups raisins
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1⁄2 teaspoon allspice
• 1⁄2 teaspoon clove
• 3 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon salt

directions

1. Cream the brown sugar, eggs and shortening.
2. Add the cold coffee and mix well.
3. Sift dry ingredients together.
4. Add to to the creamed mixture. Mix well.
5. Add the apples and nuts, combining well.
6. Pour into a large baking pan, 11x15 works for me. You could also use a jelly roll pan and bake it for less time.
7. Bake in a slow oven, 325 degrees for at least 1 hour.

Reviews

[Annacia]

Very nice indeed. This is what my mother would have called a Snacking Cake. I skipped the raisins to lower the sugars and doubled the nuts (I used pecans). My sugar was 1/3 a cup of Splenda Brown Sugar and wouldn't want it any sweeter. I also used 1/2 the amount of shortening and made up the difference with unsweetened applesauce. For the spice, Penzey's Apple Pie Spice was ideal. It's moist and very well flavored, in fact I think it will be even better tomorrow. I made a 6 serving amount and baked it in an 8" cake pan. The coffee adds to the flavor and character but lays mildly in the background. Thank you Yia Yia for sharing a lovely family recipe. *NOTE*: I was right this is even better the next day and you MUST try a slice slathered with peanut butter!!!!!

 

[Sydney Mike]

Made for PAC, Spring 2007 ~ Well, I might have taken a lot away from what this cake was meant to be like, 'cause I substituted a cup of apple juice for the brewed coffee!! Still, from my point of view, the cake turned out well, & tasted just fine! If nothing else, I'd be interested in making this again for it's historical aspect!

 

[Beansy]

Made this according to instructions and it was really really good!!

 

[IrishHeart]

I made a few changes and it turned out really, really good. I didn't have any raisins. I added a bit more nuts--walnuts. Instead of allspice I used nutmeg. Instead of shortening I used canola oil and I used 1 cup whole wheat flour and 2 cups white flour. Just realized I forgot the salt but didn't miss it.

 

[KC_hockey_chick]

I have this in the oven right now and it smells awesome! I can't wait for the timer to go off so I can dig in and have a piece!