Aunt Edna’s Christmas Cake

3 large apples, peeled and sliced

1 cup chocolate chips, divided

1 cup chopped nuts, divided

2½ cups all-purpose flour, divided

½ cup shortening

1¼ cups firmly packed brown sugar, divided

¾ cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

1 cup cold water

1 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 13 × 9-inch baking pan. Set aside.

In a medium bowl combine the apples, ½ cup of the chocolate chips, ½ cup of the chopped nuts, and ½ cup of the flour. Toss together to coat the mixture and set aside.

In a large bowl cream the shortening, ¾ cup of the brown sugar, the granulated sugar, and eggs. Add the remaining 2 cups of the flour, the baking powder, baking soda, and salt alternately with the cold water and vanilla. Mix well. Fold in the apple mixture. Spread into the prepared pan.

In a small bowl mix the remaining ½ cup brown sugar, the remaining ½ cup chocolate chips, and the remaining ½ cup nuts together and sprinkle on top of the batter. Bake 30 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Makes 24 servings

Patricia Ruegger, Queen Mother
Winter Flakes,
Ojibwa, Wisconsin