Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Applesauce Cake from The Charlotte Cookbook

My real name is not Lottie of course, it is Charlotte.  No one knew me as Lottie until I started blogging.  I like Lottie.  No one called me Charlotte when I was young, it was always "Sweet Charlotte" from the movie Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte. 

Somehow, when I was young, I never learned to cook without a recipe.  The culture of all the women I was around (and later my husband), was of fabulous cooks who threw a little of this and a little of that in to create culinary ecstasy!  Oh my gosh, the great potato salad I have eaten! No recipe necessary!

But for me, I need a recipe. Even if I've made the dish, like cornbread, a million times, I still need a recipe.  And of course for me, everything has to be measured exactly! (Please don't laugh.)

When I was a young wife and Sweet Charlotte, back in 1977, I decided to get over the "no recipe" rule and buy a cookbook just for me!  I found The Charlotte Cookbook published by The Charlotte Junior League, Charlotte, North Carolina, 1976.

Yes, I bought it just because of the title.  This was the first cookbook I bought for myself so it holds a special place in my heart, as well as the bookcase full of cookbooks I bought afterwards.

I was also sure this cookbook had good recipes!  Why? The cookbook says so.

           Over 800 recipes have been tested and edited for this book.  The
           Cookbook Committee has tried every recipe and in some cases
           slight variations have been made.

Since Christmas of 1977, I have followed this recipe for Applesauce Cake from The Charlotte Cookbook!  It always tasted so good and the whole house always smelled so good while it was baking.  I want to share this favorite recipe with you today!

Oh, I can't begin to describe how good this tastes!

Applesauce Cake
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1    egg
1    cup applesauce
1 3/4 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda (scant)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1 cup raisins
1/4 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar

Cream 1/2 -cup butter with 1/2 -cup white and 1/2 cup brown sugar. Add egg.  Sift flour, baking powder, salt, and soda and mix with egg mixture.  Add applesauce, spices and raisins.

(DH volunteered to help. Don't forget to add a "hunk of love" to the recipe!)




Put in greased 9x12 -inch pan.  Melt the 1/4 -cup butter and dribble on top of cake.  Sprinkle 1 cup brown sugar on top (using more or less according to taste).  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until done.  Serve warm topped with whipped cream if desired. 
                                             ... Mrs. Terry Young





I have never served it with whipped topping. It tastes fine just as it is.  Also, it is even better the next day.  I usually freeze the squares for later.

I've been baking this Applesauce Cake for 36 years and never once changed the recipe.  But for health reasons, I need to retire this recipe.

I hope you enjoy this recipe just in case you are like me and need one!
:) Lottie

9 comments:

  1. A great Fall recipe! I bet it is yummy!!

    M :)

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  2. With an ingredient list like that how could it not be delicious? I think I'll give it a go for Thanksgiving (although I don't make anything without adding homemade whipped cream to it lol)...

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  3. Hi Lottie,

    I am like you, I use a recipe for things I have made multiple times...even pancakes. My family is like your in cooking, and I get laughed at for needing a recipe for pancakes. That is just me.

    The recipe looks delicious, and I have copied it and plan to make it. I will let you know when I do.

    I think it is cute you have a that your first cookbook has your name on it.

    I love this blue rose background for your blog...so perfect.

    :) Hope

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  4. Oh...and I think it is really sweet of you husband to help you with making the apple cake.

    :) Hope

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  5. I think Junior League cookbooks are some of the best! I have many but have never seen the Charlotte one! I have quite a few favorite recipes that I need to retire too, Lottie. Yours looks delicious!

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  6. Have just arrived from your previous post. Your blue house is so pretty! It is looking lovely, Lottie! What a helpful and sweet hubby you have! Hope you served him an extra big piece of this gorgeous Applesauce Cake!

    Happy Thanksgiving next week!

    Poppy

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  7. This looks both good and easy. It is so funny because at our Bible study/faith sharing group we were discussing how some old recipes call for 9 by 12 inch pans and none of us have one. We all have 9 by 13 inch. I don't think I have ever seen the 9 by 12 inch for sale either. I wonder when the change came? I know what you mean about Health reasons---I suppose we could cook it just on a special day?

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  8. Love those great ole "go to recipes". Yum.
    My mothers best friend in the world was named Lottie...sweet!

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  9. My DH helps out too Lottie...with eating what I bake...lol. This looks great and I am going to save the recipe to try.

    Happy Thanksgiving!

    Hugs from Holland ~
    Heidi

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