My mom compiled copies of a ton of my Granny’s recipes, written in her own handwriting. Mom put them all into an album for me and included loads of photos of Granny with me at various ages, as well as quotes about cooking. I am ashamed to say that it basically sat on a shelf for a couple of years while I bounced from place to place and focused on my career, but with the Covid silver lining I am finally cooking my way through it. Mom doesn’t remember this cake, but I have now made it three times and it is a hit each time. Use the recipe below for a loaf pan, or double it for a tube pan. Yes…a tube pan. I honestly thought Granny had made this up, but it’s a round pan like a bundt but without any detailing. So, think angel food cake, a smooth tube of a pan. I don’t own one, in fact I had to borrow the loaf pan, but I plan to track one down.

Note: Granny did not make anything that was inherently GF, but let me tell you how many of her recipes happen to be dairy-free or vegan! She came from tough times, and she knew how to utilize inexpensive ingredients in her baking. Stay tuned…there is a vegan chocolate cake recipe on the horizon.

The Goods:
3/4 C vegetable oil (or any oil mild in flavor)
3/4 C granulated sugar
1 egg (or egg substitute for a fully vegan loaf)
1 and 1/2 C fresh apples, diced to about half an inch
1/2 C chopped pecans or walnuts
1 and 1/2 C flour (King Arthur’s GF flour makes this PERFECT)
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

The Plan:
Mix the oil, sugar and egg until full incorporated. This will not get fluffy like butter and sugar does, don’t worry.
Add the chopped apples and mix
Add the nuts and mix
Add all of the dry ingredients and mix well

This mixture will be stiff, especially with the King Arthur’s GF flour. That’s fine! Granny literally made a note about it.

Bake at 350 for 40 minutes, or until a toothpick test comes back with good results. If you are making this with non-GF flour I suggest testing it closer to 30 minutes because I honestly don’t know.

If you are my partner you will heat up a slice and slather it in butter. No judgment there, the dude knows his food preferences.