Recipe of the Week : Count On Candles for Patsy's Birthday Cake
Where I live, the month of September is synonomous with apples, which is why I've decided to bake Patsy an extra special birthday cake using apples as a main ingredient. This recipe for my favorite apple spice cake may be considered a bit unconventional for a birthday cake, but it is the perfect way in which to honor Patsy, a woman who had been considered a bit unconventional herself at times. After all, who could we have counted on to put the spice in country music if we couldn't have counted on the gal who called herself The Cline ? Happy Birthday Patsy !
Place the prepared apples, 4 tbs. sugar and the water into a saucepan. Bring to a boil and then simmer for approximately 25 minutes, stirring periodically to keep smooth. Pre~heat the oven to 325 degrees and grease and flour a 7 1/2 cup tube pan.
In a bowl, sift the flour, baking soda and spices. Take out about 2 tbs. of this mixture and put it in another bowl. Add raisins and 1 level cup of the walnuts to the mix. In a third large bowl, cream the butter and remaining sugar until light and fluffy. Fold in the apple mix. Fold in the flour mixture. Add the vanilla, raisin and walnut mix. Stir batter until mixed well. Pour entire mixture into the pan and bake for about 1 1/2 hours or until toothpick in center comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack, remove from pan and place on a plate.
