Apple Spice Cake

Fall is not complete without making this baby at least a couple of times. Bring home a few red-variety apples from the farmers' market, and chances are you have the rest of the ingredients on hand.

2 lg. eggs
3/4 c. canola oil
2 c. sugar
1 t. vanilla
2 c. flour
2 t. cinnamon
1 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
4 c. thinly-sliced red-variety apples (3 large)
1 c. nuts (optional - I leave these out)

In large mixing bowl, beat eggs. Add oil, sugar, vanilla and mix. Add balance of dry ingredients and combine. Dump in sliced apples, wash your hands, take off your rings and get them (your hands) in the bowl to mix this thick batter. Press gently into greased 9X13 pan and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Cool and frost with CREAM CHEESE FROSTING (recipe follows). Refrigerate until cold and cut into small squares.

Cream Cheese Frosting:

8 oz. cream cheese (one package, soft)
3 T. butter
1 t. vanilla
2 c. powdered sugar

Combine cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add vanilla. Stir in powdered sugar.