Honey Applesauce Cake

I don't make New Year's resolutions. I hate to do what someone tells me to do, even if that someone is me. Just plainly too stubborn. However, I have gained back the weight I lost last year and I don't really like the way refined sugar makes me feel, so I have pulled out my old honey cookbook and I am going to make some of my favorites. 


I remember when I was a little girl, my grandmother made delicious applesauce cake. She used her own homemade applesauce, which of course, only added to its goodness. Apple sauce is really quite simple to make, but there are sugar free brands in the grocery, so those work well, too. 


I love these old recipes. This one is from a cookbook called "Nature's Golden Treasure Honey Cookbook". My copy has lots of stains on it, from many years of happy cooking.

Honey-Applesauce Cake


Ingredients:
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup honey
2 eggs
3 cups flour
1 tsp. cloves
1 1/2 tsp. soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 1/2 cups applesauce
1 cup raisins
1/2 cup coarsely chopped nuts


Cream the shortening. Add the honey in a fine stream and cream until well mixed. Beat eggs into creamed mixture one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Sift dry ingredients together. Add to creamed mixture alternately with the applesauce. Add raisins and nuts. Pour batter into a well-greased 13 x 9 inch pan. Bake in a 325 degree oven for 45 minutes or until cake tests done. 


Although, this recipe doesn't call for a frosting, here is an easy cream cheese frosting that I use for my carrot cakes and feel sure it would be equally as good on this cake.


Easy Frosting


8 oz. cream cheese
1/3 cup honey
1 tsp. vanilla


Beat cream cheese until smooth, then add honey in a fine stream. Add vanilla and beat until smooth. Spread over top of cake.


If you add the frosting, be sure to store your cake in the refrigerator.

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This is the perfect cake for an afternoon tea party with your best friend. So bring out your best tea set and settle in for a cozy chat.