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My family has a few favorite dessert recipes we like to make in the fall...my mom always makes her version of apple cake. It's so easy to make, and is a great way to use up in-season fruit. Do not forget to top with a sprinkle of powdered sugar! 

Apple Cake

Ingredients:

1 cup sugar

2 cups diced apples

1 egg, beaten

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1-1/2 cups of flour, sifted

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp salt

Powdered sugar (to sprinkle on top)

Preparation:

1. Add sugar to diced apples and let stand for 10 minutes.
2. Blend oil and egg into apple mixture.
3. Separately combine sifted flour, baking soda, and spices.
4. Add dry mixture all at once to wet mixture and beat with wooden spoon until well blended.
5. Pour into a greased 13” x 9” x 2” pan.
6. Bake at 350 degrees F for 35 to 40 minutes.
7. Allow to cool, then sprinkle with confectioner’s sugar.
8. Cut into bars.

Mom also specialized in whoopie pies...and my sister Karen has kept the tradition alive and well. Over the weekend, I went to see my niece Anna play soccer at college, and Karen baked these delicious pumpkin whoopie pies…they were a hit! I think they’re perfect for all kinds of get-togethers this season.

My niece anna(blonde) and our dear friend Kelsey

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

Cookie Ingredients:

2 cups packed brown sugar

1 cup vegetable oil

1-1/2 cups solid pack pumpkin puree

2 eggs

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp salt

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp vanilla extract

1-1/2 Tbsp ground cinnamon

1/2 Tbsp ground ginger

1/2 Tbsp ground cloves

Filling Ingredients:

1/4 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup veggie shortening (or 1/2 butter-flavored Crisco stick)

1 tsp vanilla extract

3 cups powdered sugar

3 to 4 Tbsp milk

Cookie Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease baking sheets.
2. Combine the oil and brown sugar. Mix in the pumpkin, eggs, and 1 tsp vanilla, beating well.
3. Mix the dry ingredients separately (flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves).
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing well.
5. Drop dough by heaping tablespoons onto the prepared baking sheets. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 10 to 12 minutes. Let cookies cool.

Filling Preparation:

1. In a mixing bowl, cream the butter, shortening, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar. Beat till fluffy.
2. Add milk, 1 Tbsp at a time until the filling has a creamy consistency.
3. Spoon the filling into a sealable plastic bag. Seal the bag and snip off one corner.

To assemble the whoopee pies, simply dispense filling from the snipped-off corner of the sealed bag between two cookies to make "sandwiches."

Does your family have favorite fall recipes? Please feel free to share!

Enjoy the bounty of fall!🍂

Pat

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