Fresh Apple Cake

• PAN COATING
• sugar↗3 tablespoons
• ground cinnamon↗1 teaspoon
• CAKE
• vegetable oil↗1 1⁄2 cups
• sugar↗2 cups
• large eggs↗3
• granny smith apples, peeled and chopped (about 3 medium apples)↗3 cups
• vanilla extract↗2 teaspoons
• cinnamon↗2 teaspoons
• nutmeg↗1⁄4 teaspoon
• flour↗3 cups
• baking soda↗1 teaspoon
• salt↗1⁄2 teaspoon
• walnuts, chopped (or pecans)↗1 cup
• cup prune, pitted and chopped (or raisins)↗1⁄2

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

2. 2

   Generously grease a 10-inch bundt pan. Combine the sugar and cinnamon and coat the insdie of the pan with the mixture by shaking the pan all around until the sides and bottom are coated.

3. 3

   Beat the oil and sugar with an electric mixer until well blended.

4. 4

   Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

5. 5

   With a spatula, stir in the apples and vanilla.

6. 6

   Sift together the cinnamon, nutmeg, flour, baking soda and salt.

7. 7

   Add the flour mixture to the apple mixture to the apple mixture and mix well with a spatula.

8. 8

   Add the walnuts and prunes. The batter will be very thick.

9. 9

   Spoon the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.

10. 10

    Lift the pan from the counter about 2 inches and drop it back down to get out all of the air bubbles.

11. 11

    Bake the cake for 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 hours, until a tester in the center comes out clean.

12. 12

    Allow to rest on the countertop for at least 30 minutes before turning out onto a cake plate to cool completely.