mmmmm: apple cake

how can i describe holly? i have no childhood memory that does not somewhere include her in the picture. long before i ever had friends of my own to call on the telephone, i could dial holly's number by heart. she has been my mom's closest friend forever. there wasn't a day that went by in my childhood that didn't involve a phone call from holly to my mother or my mother to holly. their's was the friendship i idolized. it's the kind of friendship that has withstood relocation, growing children, illnesses, heartache, and the passage of time. it's the kind of friendship i long for.

holly is hilarious, laughs easily, loves pink, teddy bears, 50's music, tea parties, her kids, her husband, history, good books and amazing food. she's the kind of person that, when hosting a tea party, called to get everyone's starbuck's orders to have them ready and waiting. how great is that? she is a gem. when she shared her recipe for apple cake, i had to pass it on. she's an amazing baker and i've never been disappointed with one of her treats. this recipe screams fall and you will love it.

apple cake

1 cup flour

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

2 cups peeled chopped raw apple

1 egg

1/4 cup oil

1/2 cup raisins

preheat oven to 350 degrees. combine flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and cinnamon in a large bowl. stir in the apples, egg, oil and raisins. pour into a greased 9 x 9 inch baking pan. top with streusel mixture

streusel topping

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup rolled oats

3/4 teaspoon cinnamon

3/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/3 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup flour

mix streusel ingredients well, making sure the butter is broken up well within the other ingredients. spread the streusel over the cake batter. bake the cake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes. enjoy!