By Sheri Hopkins
Lifestyle Contributor
Hello everyone! The first day of spring was Monday, we have had spring, winter and rain. The daffodils are sure pretty tough and they are everywhere. I love this time of year. Won’t be long and we will be celebrating Easter, hunting eggs and enjoying family.
This week’s recipe comes from a best friend of mine, Debra Overton. I asked her to give me one of her best recipes and she says this cake is delicious. I can’t wait to try it. It’s a fresh apple cake recipe. The reason I decided to use one of Deb’s recipes is because last week I was thinking of funny stories and she came to mind. Those of y’all that know me and know me well, know my love of gummy everything. Sour gummy worms, gummy bears, anything gummy I love. Actually, most Wagoners love gummies.
Debra and I used to work together at Chamber’s Bank. We sure had some good times. One day we were at work, and I was eating gummy worms and I got choked and I mean it lodged in my throat. I could not talk or breathe. Deb noticed and asked if I was okay. I could not answer, I could only shake my head no. Without hesitation, she runs over to me, grabs me up and does the Heimlich maneuver on me. No joke up came that gummy worm and landed right at the drive-thru. So, not only is she a best friend, but she also saved my life. If I had been alone, I would have died. So, I am forever grateful to her for saving my life. When I got home from work that evening I was telling my husband all about it. Would you like to know what he said? I mean the man had taught safety classes and was all about safety. He said, “good thing you were at work because I couldn’t have done it.” He was serious. So, I guess he would have let me die. All joking aside I’m sure he wouldn’t have saved me. Just kidding. I had threatened to kill him a time or two. When we were first married, when I would get mad, I would throw things. I’ve grown up since then. One time I threw a can of beans at him and hit him right in the temple. It was pure accident, I didn’t mean to. We both ended up laughing over it. He didn’t laugh at first, but I couldn’t hold it in and busted out laughing. The things I’ve done. I have more for later. Hope everyone enjoys this cake, maybe you can make it for Easter. Deb says you have to make the apple dessert sauce, it is delicious. Enjoy!
FRESH APPLE CAKE
4 cups peeled, sliced apples
2 cups sugar
2 cups flour
11/2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
3/4 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup chopped pecans
Apple dessert sauce (recipe follows)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, stir together apples and sugar. Add dry ingredients, stir well. In separate bowl, beat eggs, oil, and vanilla. Stir egg mixture into apple mixture, blending until thoroughly moistened. Stire in pecans. Pour into greased 13x9x2 inch pan. Bake 50 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly pressed. Serve with warm apple dessert sauce. Yield: 12-15 servings
APPLE DESSERT SAUCE
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1/2 cup heavy cream or evaporated milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
Place all ingredients in saucepan; stir. Bring to boil over medium-high heat and cook three minutes. Serve warm.
