Apple Vanilla "Depression Cake"

Apple Vanilla Depression Cake

Serves 8

• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or white vinegar
• 3 apples, peeled and thinly sliced
• Powdered sugar, optional

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Oil a nonstick 9-inch round or 8-inch square pan. Alternatively, use a regular pan, oil the sides, line the bottom with parchment paper and oil the parchment. In a large bowl whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. In a small bowl whisk oil, water, vanilla and vinegar. Pour wet mixture into dry and mix until just combined. Batter will be thick. Arrange apple slices in an overlapping pattern in the bottom of prepared pan. Chop remaining apples and fold into batter. Spoon batter into pan and smooth the top. Bake 20 minutes. Rotate cake and continue baking until lightly browned and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes longer. Cool on a rack. When cool, invert onto a serving dish. Gently peel off parchment. Just before serving, sprinkle with powdered sugar and/or cinnamon.