4 cups coarsely chopped apples (cubed) figure approx 1 apple per cup but you might need to buy a couple extra for snacking and to make sure you have enough

2 c. sugar

2 eggs

1/2 c. vegetable oil

2 tsp. vanilla

2 c. sifted flour (are you kidding, who sifts anymore - just make sure it's not packed into the measuring cup)

2 tsp. soda

2 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. sat

1 c. chopped nuts (optional but I love the contrasting texture) raisins are great in here too!

Combine apples and sugar, let stand. Beat eggs slightly, add oil and vanilla. Mix dry ingredients. Stir in alternately with apple-sugar mixture. Stir in nuts. Pour in greased 9x13 or bundt pan. Bake at 350 degrees for one hour.

Make it Gluten Free: Switch to 2 cups ATK gluten free flour blend and add 1 tsp. Xantham Gum. Let the batter rest 15-30 minutes for the flour to absorb the liquid, then bake at 350 for 1 hour. 

Beyond Heavenly when served with Warm Butter Sauce (aka Buttermilk Syrup). Don't have buttermilk?

an alternative Butter Sauce:

1 cube butter

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup water

1 heaping T. cornstarch or 3 T. flour

Bring to boil, and cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.

From My sister, Vicki - Wouldn't this be a great teacher gift!?! What a fun treat to send the dry stuff tied to the handle of the mug in a cute baggy, and have the other stuff in a separate bag inside the mug (or all in separate little containers in a basket. I would have loved that when I was teaching! Hello LUNCH!!!

1 coffee mug
4 Tbsp. cake flour (plain, not self-rising)
4 Tbsp. sugar
2 Tbsp. cocoa
1 egg
3 Tbsp. milk
3 Tbsp. oil
Small splash of vanilla
3 Tbsp. chocolate chips, optional

Add dry ingredients to mug, mix well with a fork. Add egg, mix thoroughly. Pour in milk and oil and vanilla, mix well. Add chips, if using. Put mug in microwave, and cook for three minutes on 1000 watts. Cake will rise over top of mug--do not be alarmed!Allow to cool a little; tip onto a plate if desired. Eat!

(This can serve two if you want to feel slightly more virtuous.)

***And WHY is this the most dangerous cake recipe in the world?

Because now we are all only five minutes away from chocolate cake any time of the day or night!!!***

* Edit * Ok. I tried it. Hmmm, not the best cake I've ever eaten: a little rubbery (perhaps because it was microwaved) and pretty chocolatey. However, I think the goal of it is being accomplished. What we ask of it is a quick chocolatey-baked-good fix. There was nothing wrong with it that a scoop of ice cream and a little hot fudge couldn't fix! I think the recipe needs some tweaking, so I will make the sacrifice and try again tomorrow. I'll let you all know how it goes. (Definitely enough for two.)

1/2 cup margarine

1/2 cup shortening

4 Tbsp. cocoa

1 cup water

2 cups sugar

2 cups flour

1/2 cup buttermilk (or sour milk - add about 1 tablespoon of vinegar and let it set about 10 minutes it will curdle)

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

2 eggs

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

Combine margarine, shortening, cocoa, water and bring to a rolling boil. Sift together sugar and flour. Combine hot liquid mixture with dry. Mix well. Combine buttermilk, soda, and salt and stir well. Add this to the hot mixture. Beat the eggs slightly, add them in, then add the vanilla. Bake in a jelly roll pan, about 3o minutes at 325 degrees.

Fudge Icing:

Mix together and bring to a boil:

1 stick margarine

4 Tbsp. milk

4 Tbsp. cocoa

Remove from heat. Add 1 box sifted powdered sugar. Beat until creamy. Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla. Pour over hot cake! Can sprinkle with chopped walnuts or pecans!

Cut and wash lemon leaves. Dry completely. Melt 1/4 package Wilton Candy Melts according to package directions (really it doesn't take very much, and you can always melt more if you need them). Using a cheap plastic paintbrush, paint the back of each leaf, fairly thick, with the melted chocolate. (You can also use the back of a spoon or try to dip carefully, you don't want it on the front of the leaf or it's harder to get them off). Allow to cool. Carefully peel the leaf off of the chocolate.

from Carrie Keiser

Cream:
1/2 Cup Butter (I've used shortening and it still tastes good)
1 Cup brown sugar
2 eggs (According to my mom and 2 of my brothers the eggs are optional. I have never made it with out, but they swear they have never made it with them!)

Blend in:
1 Cup milk

Add:
2 3/4 Cups flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt

Mix well and spread in 9x13 cake pan. Batter is thick.

Topping:
1/2 Cup sugar
1/2 Cup flour
1 Tablespoon cinnamon
1/4 Cup butter (no subbing)

Blend with a "muncher", or a fork or cut with2 knives, whatever you have!
Sprinkle over the cake and bake @ 375 for 25 mins. wonderful alone or with a bowl of oatmeal. Works for dinner too! :)