2010 Baking Contest Entry

Empire Apple Cake

Try with Saunders Brothers Empire Apples

3 cups peeled, thinly sliced Empire apples
3/4 cup plus 4 Tbsp. sugar, divided
3 tsp. cinnamon
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
2 eggs
1/4 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup orange juice
2 tsp. vanilla extract
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°. Grease, sugar and flour a loaf pan. Combine apples slices with 4 Tbsp. sugar and the cinnamon; set aside.

Combine flour, baking powder and salt; set aside.

Beat eggs with remaining sugar and brown sugar. Add vegetable oil, orange juice and vanilla; beat well. Gradually bend in flour mixture and mix until well-blended.

Pour one-third of batter into the pan. Top with half the apple slices, draining off any liquid. Pour in half of the remain batter and top with remaining apple slices. Top with the last of the batter, making sure the apples are covered.

Bake 55-60 minutes until top turns golden brown. Let cool 10 minutes in pan. Turn onto wire rack and let cool completely.
Additional Information
Difficulty Level: 2 ·  Preparation Time: 30 minutes ·  Recipe Source: Becky Coates, Concord, VA ·  Cooking Time: 55-60 minutes ·  Where To Cook: oven ·