SPRING HILL RANCH'S APPLE CAKE

Spring Hill Ranch's Apple Cake image

Provided by Wiley P

Time 1h5m

Number Of Ingredients 12

1/2 c vegetable oil
1/2 c apple sauce
2 large eggs at room temperature
2 c (14 ounces) granulated white sugar (12 ounces above 6,000 feet)
4 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
2 tsp vanilla extract
3 medium granny smith apples
1 c chopped pecans
3 c (14 3/8 ounces) all purpose flour (15 1/2 ounces above 6,000 feet)
1 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon

Steps:

1. Adjust an oven rack to the center position and preheat the oven to 350°(365º above 6,000 feet). Lightly grease a 12-inch cast-iron skillet or (if you must) a 9"x13"x2" pan.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the oil, apple sauce, melted butter, eggs, sugar, and vanilla. Peel, core and finely (≈3/8") chop the apples, stirring them in as you go. Stir in the pecans.
3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon until everything is well combined. Make a "well" in center of these dry ingredients. Pour the wet ingredients into the well. Using a spatula or wooden spoon, fold the dry and wet ingredients together just until the flour is dampened. You will find this to be a very thick batter, In fact it's more like a cookie batter. And while it may seem like there are way too many apple pieces, but it all works out in the end.
4. Turn the batter into your prepared skillet or baking pan, patting down the top so it's even. Bake for 40-45 minutes until the top is lightly browned and an inserted knife comes out almost clean.
5. Let the cake cool in the pan on a cooling rack for 30 minutes before serving. Think seriously about serving this cake with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream and/or cinnamon spiced whipped cream.