Apple Spice Cake

I made this cake on Sunday.  It was cold inside the house and I wanted to warm up - so I baked.  I went to Shur Fine, picked up some applesauce (because apples to me are quintessential fall), perused a cookbook I purchased at the LL Bean store in Maine almost 25 years ago and decided on Apple Spice Cake.

Moist and delicious, it goes great with coffee or on its own.  The boys gave it two thumbs up and DJ's friends "loved it!!!"  They are biased though :)  You can make it for school lunch snacks, put it in the freezer for unexpected visitors and/or enjoy it throughout the day (like we did :)  But, whatever you do, make it.
The recipe follows:

Apple Spice Cake - The Harrowsmith Cookbook - Volume Number 1

3 cups flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/2 teaspoon cloves
3/4 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups apple sauce
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup raisins
1/2 cup walnuts

Sift flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, allspice and cloves into a large bowl.  Add shortening and apple sauce.  Beat with electric mixer on medium speed for two minutes.  Add eggs and vanilla and beat for one more minute.  Stir in raisins and nuts and blend well.

Pour into greased and floured tube pan.  Bake at 350 degrees F for 70 minutes (mine took 55 minutes).  Cool in pan for ten minutes, loosen with a knife and turn onto wire rack to finish cooling.

Enjoy!!!