Do you have a fall baking tradition? A favorite recipe for a cake or cookies? Something that everyone looks forward to?
In our family, it is Grandma’s Apple Cake… layers of fresh apples, firm cake and warm cinnamon… yum! My mother now carries on the tradition of baking a Grandma’s Apple Cake for every occasion from family gatherings to holiday parties. We all look forward to the delicious cake and the wonderful memories it sparks.
Now the dilemma… what to carry and serve the cake on? Do you bring the cake to a friend’s home on one of your favorite serving plates? a dinner plate? in a cake carrier? Then, how do you politely ask for the plate back after dessert?
My mom has come up with an excellent solution (she is such a smart woman!)
She shops thrift stores! (You knew I was going to say that, didn’t you!)
Thrift Stores always have an ever changing selection of one-of-a-kind serving plates, platters, baking dishes and more. Spend a few minutes, just a couple of dollars, and you will come away with a supply of plates for your Christmas cookies, cakes and casseroles.
Carry your goodies to that holiday event and just leave that plate behind! It cost you what… 95 cents? You have relieved yourself of a little bit of holiday stress and have helped support charity as well! Encourage your hostess to do the same. She will thank you later.
A win-win all around!
Consider shopping Impact Thrift Stores for more than just a serving platter! Take a look at these wonderful tablescapes that we created completely with thrift store finds! Mix and match a variety of glassware, plates and decorations for an eclectic and festive tablescape.
And if you are interested in trying Grandma’s Apple Cake, here is the recipe…
GRANDMA ANN’S JEWISH APPLE CAKE
Mix together and set aside:
3 large granny smith or winesap apples, peeled and cut in small pieces
½ cup of sugar
3 tsp cinnamon
Mix together in a large bowl:
1 3/4 cups sugar
½ tsp salt
3 cups flour
3 tsp baking powder
Add to the dry ingredients:
1 cup oil
4 eggs, 1 at a time
7 tablespoons of orange juice
2 1/2 tsp vanilla
Batter will be thick!
Grease and flour a round tube pan. Alternate and layer batter and apple mixture starting with batter. Place the last of the apple mixture on top.
Bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes at 350 degrees, or until toothpick tester is clean.
Allow to cool completely to room temperature before removing from pan. Enjoy!
PS… do you know what makes this a “Jewish” Apple Cake? Oil is used as the shortening rather than butter or margarine, therefore the cake is parve – a neutral food that can be eaten with both meat and dairy dishes in a kosher household.
Tablescape photos by Abby Friedman and Heather Hamilton. Apple Cake baked by Dayna Tarabar.
