James Westfall's Applesauce Cake

This recipe has been handed down through the Westfall family for years. My grandfather, James Westfall, made this cake frequently, especially during the holidays. It is a great cake for family get-togethers.

Ingredients

• cooking spray
• 2 ⅔ cups white sugar
• 0.6666666666666666 cup butter-flavored shortening
• 4 large eggs
• 1 ¾ cups applesauce
• 0.6666666666666666 cup water
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 0.5 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 ½ cups raisins
• 0.6666666666666666 cup chopped walnuts

Steps

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a fluted cake pan with cooking spray.
2. Beat sugar and shortening together in a bowl using an electric mixer until smooth and creamy; beat in eggs until incorporated.
3. Combine applesauce, water, and baking soda in a saucepan over medium heat; stir until heated through, about 2 minutes. Stir applesauce mixture into shortening mixture; add vanilla extract.
4. Whisk flour, cinnamon, salt, baking powder, and ground cloves together in a bowl. Gradually stir applesauce mixture into flour mixture until just combined. Fold in raisins and walnuts. Pour into prepared cake pan.
5. Bake in the preheated oven until golden and a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean, about 1 hour. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes and transfer cake to a plate.