Mother’s Day today.

I made a loaf cake for my mother applesauce and walnut cake

I found that I needed to cook this for a further 15 minutes (covered with foil to protect the topping) before it was ready. When it was finally done the texture was perfect – soft and spongy. It’s not overly sweet and the walnut add just about the right level of crunchiness and interest.

INGREDIENTS  

• ½ cup room temperature butter (113 grams)
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup applesauce
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground cloves
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup walnuts chopped
• ½ cup dates chopped
• ½ cup raisins
• Powdered sugar for serving if desired

INSTRUCTIONS 

• Preheat oven to 350F.
• Spray a 7 inch x 11 inch pan with cooking spray.
• In a large bowl cream together the brown sugar and butter until combined well using an electric mixer, or a whisk or fork if by hand.
• Add the eggs, applesauce and lemon juice and continue stirring with a mixer or spatula until well mixed.
• Next add your dry ingredients including flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ground cloves and salt. Gently mix in an electric mixer or with a spatula until a batter forms.
• Now stir in the nuts, dates and raisins until just combined to give your cake a delicious texture.
• Spread the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 35-40 minutes. Test to make sure your cake is done by inserting a toothpick into the cake. It should come out clean with no batter clinging to it. Sprinkle with powdered sugar to decorate if desired.