“Who ever said money cannot buy happiness did not know where to go shopping” is a quote from Bo Derek and there is certainly some truth to that. Recently, I did go shopping at Stephen's Hair & Boutique here in Mesquite and not only were the clothes so much fun to look at, Steve Hunt served me some delicious apple cake. He said it was an old family recipe and his mother would serve this at their weekly Sunday dinner. Not only did I leave with the cutest top in the world, I also got the recipe!

This cake has apples which are peeled and chopped. Not all apples work well for baking, but you will be safe with Fuji, Granny Smith or Rome Beauty, all which are available in our grocery stores. This cake is not hard to make and the blending of ingredients is easier with a mixer. But, stir in the apples and walnuts by hand with a spatula to maintain their shape.

The picture attached is of my flour canister. It has a flower on it, get the joke? I keep a ½ cup size in the canister along with an ice cream stick. I use the stick to level off my measurement and then I don't have to dirty a knife each time I measure. The half cup size is an easy measurement to double or triple when necessary.

Steve said his mother always made a cream cheese frosting, but he also provided me with a cooked Penuche Frosting. It was a very nice complement to the flavors in the cake. He also suggested just sprinkling powdered sugar for a lighter dessert.

Go shop for some apples and this cake will bring you some happiness!

Raw Apple Cake

1 cup vegetable oil

2 cups of sugar

3 eggs

2 cups of flour

1 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

2 tsp cinnamon

2 large apples, peeled and chopped into small pieces

1 cup chopped walnuts, toasted

Blend oil and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Sift flour, salt, soda and cinnamon together. Add to egg mixture. Stir in apples and walnuts. Grease and flour a 9 x 13 pan. Pour batter in pan and bake at 350 for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a knife comes out clean. You can leave the cake in the pan to cool and then serve from the pan after you have frosted it.

Cooked Penuche Frosting

1 cup packed brown sugar

½ cup butter (1 stick)

¼ cup milk

2 cups powdered sugar, approximately

1 tsp vanilla

Put brown sugar and butter in a saucepan. Melt over low heat, stirring constantly. Bring to a boil for 2 minutes. Add milk and bring to a second boil. Remove from heat and let cool thoroughly. Stir in powdered sugar until spreading consistency is achieved. Add vanilla.

Susan Lang makes greeting cards which are for sale at Stephen's Hair & Boutique located at 312 W. Mesquite Blvd. #12 in the Bull Dog Shopping Center. Each card is different and has a message sure to make you laugh and some also come with recipe cards. While you are there, grab a new outfit for dinner!