How Jewish Apple cake became a Christmas Eve tradition

By request, here’s the recipe for Jewish Apple Cake (story to follow!)

3 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups oil (I always substitute at least half or more of the oil for applesauce)
2 eggs, beaten
2 Tbsp vanilla
1/2 tsp lemon juice
3 cups apples, peeled and chopped

Combine flour, soda, and salt. Set aside. Combine 2 c sugar, oil (applesauce), eggs, vanilla, and lemon juice. Beat 2 min. at medium speed. Add flour mixture. Beat at low speed until blended. Fold in apples. Spoon batter into a 10 inch tube or bundt pan that has been greased and floured. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour 20 minutes. Cool in pan for 10 minutes. Immediately drizzle glaze over warm cake.

Glaze:
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
2 Tbsp butter
1/2tsp each cream of tartar, cinnamon, nutmeg
1/4 cup milk

Combine glaze ingredients in saucepan. Bring to a full boil and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Let cool to lukewarm before drizzling on cake.

Christmas Eve 2005

And the story….Several Christmas Eves ago, I was cooking ahead for our Christmas Day dinner. As usual for Christmas time, I was busy and my mind was preoccupied. Now, I had NOT forgotten that it was Kiwi’s birthday. She had already had her birthday party earlier in the month and I was prepared with presents and our annual trip to Ay!Jalisco. But, I admit, I had forgotten all about making her a birthday cake. Until she came in the kitchen and asked what I was cooking. Luckily, she has always liked the apple cake, because as soon as she saw what it was she said, “Ooh! Is that my birthday cake?!” Thinking quickly, I replied “Yes!” and it has been her birthday cake (on purpose) ever since.