German Apple Cake

We have SO many apples right now, it's awesome! We have two apple trees in our back yard, plus we got a bushel from our CSA. We are in apple heaven. We've been chopping them up in lettuce salads, chicken salads, making crisps, pancakes, you name it.

But one apple recipe I can't wait to make every year is one that I had growing up called German Apple Cake. Not very many people have heard of it, or had it. But when they take a bite they always groan and say "This is SOoooooo good!" :) All it needs is a dusting of Powdered Sugar to serve.

If making at altitude, keep an eye on the top. You might have to cover it with foil the last 15 minutes so the top doesn't burn, but the cake can cook through.

GERMAN APPLE CAKE

3 cups all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
4 eggs
2 cups sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup orange juice
2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 cups generously filled thinly sliced peeled apples (about 4-5 apples)
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3 tablespoons sugar
Confectioners' sugar, optional

Combine the first three ingredients; set aside. In a large mixing bowl, beat
eggs and sugar. Combine oil and orange juice and add alternately with dry
ingredients to egg/sugar mixture. Mix until smooth; add vanilla and beat well.
Pour half of the batter into a greased and floured Bundt (tube) pan. Arrange
half the apples over the batter. Combine cinnamon and sugar and sprinkle
half over the apples. Top with remaining batter, apples and cinnamon/sugar.
Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour and 10 minutes or until cake tests done.
Allow cake to cool 1 hour before removing from baking pan.
Cool, apple side up, on a wire rack. (It is served with apple side up, or upside down.)
Sprinkle top with confectioners' sugar, if desired.
Yield: 12-16 servings

My auntie says: "With long, cold winters we have here, this recipe has warmed many a kitchen.
The cake is perfect for breakfast, mealtime dessert or evening snack. I've make it
for many parties, and I've always received compliments on it and shared the recipe
with many people."