Food Gifts 1st place: Applesauce cake in a jar

Applesauce cake in a jar

This is an excellent “neighbor” Christmas gift or a “shut-in gift.” Not only is it convenient to have on hand but it is quite the conversation piece.

Ingredients
2/3 cup shortening
2 2/3 cup sugar
4 eggs
2 cups applesauce
2/3 cup water
3 1/3 cups flour
2 teaspoons soda
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon cloves
1 cup nuts, finely chopped

Directions
Cream shortening and sugar. Beat in eggs, applesauce and water. Sift all dry ingredients. Add to mixture. Stir in nuts. Pour into wide-mouth pint jars. Fill half full. Bake for 45 minutes at 325 degrees. Remove from oven one at a time. Wipe sealing edge clean. Put on lids and rings. Screw down tight. Jars seal as cake cools. Store as you would any canned goods. Makes 8 pints.

Charlotte Kraft, Wichita