mom's iced apple cake

one of my mom's holiday traditions that i look forward to every year, is when she bakes her delicious apple cake.  it's a staple around our house november thru december.  she's had this recipe as long as i remember, and i overindulge every year.  this year, the craving hit me way early (like, late summer early... hah)... and since my mom and dad live way too far away, i decided i would attempt to make it myself rather than waiting until i go home for christmas.  my mom was kind enough to share her recipe with me, so now i'm sharing it with you.  now, go get to bakin'...

mom's iced apple cake
yield: two 9-inch loaves

ingredients:
 
 3 eggs
3 cups diced apples (about 4-5 small/medium apples, i used rome)
 1 cup vegetable oil
2 cups sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
 3 cups all purpose flour
 1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup chopped walnuts

for the glaze:
 1 and 1/2 cups sifted powdered sugar
 3 tablespoons water
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 dashes of nutmeg
2 dashes of cinnamon

instructions: 

 grease and flour two 9-inch loaf pans (pillsbury makes a non- stick spray with flour or you can spray with a non-stick butter spray); preheat oven to 350 degrees.

 mix the oil, sugar, eggs and vanilla on medium speed until well blended. then add all the remaining ingredients except the apples, and mix on medium speed until well blended.  add the apples to the mix and fold them in with a large spoon (the batter will be thick).  once all of the apples are mixed in, divide and pour the batter equally into the loaf pans. bake for 60 minutes (or when a knife is inserted and comes out clean).  allow the cakes to cool, then top the cakes with the glaze.

for the glaze:

 sift powdered sugar into a bowl.  add the water and vanilla extract, and mix with a spoon until you reach a smooth consistency.  add the nutmeg and cinnamon and mix until blended.  drizzle the glaze over the cakes (if the glaze is too stiff, add a a few more drops of water).  allow 30 minutes or so for the glaze to set, then enjoy!

just a tip: my mom says this is the kind of cake that actually gets better with age, so all of the flavors can marry.  so you can even make them a day or two ahead of time before giving to family and friends and they will be even more amazing.