Sophie's Apple Sauce Cake

I am beyond excited to be sharing this recipe as it comes from my Great Grandma Sophie Pitura's recipe box. She emigrated from Poland in the early 1900s and married my Great Grandfather, Paul Pitura, who actually is the one who wrote most of these recipes on the cards. My Great Grandma passed away the year I was born, so I never knew her, however, I am feeling a little more connected as I make some of her 100+ year old recipes!

1 1/2 cups apple sauce (Slow Cooker Apple Sauce)
1 cup sugar
1 cup raisins
1 cup walnuts, chopped
1 cup maraschino cherries, halved
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon cloves
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup melted margarine

- Combine apple sauce, sugar, raisins, nuts and cherries together and set aside.
- Sift together dry ingredients. Mix wet and dry together, and add in melted butter margarine while stirring.
- Place batter in a greased 9x9 pan. Bake @ 350° for 60 minutes, or until knife comes out clean.
- Enjoy with a cup of coffee!

To take your taste buds for a walk down memory lane, click to see more Sophie's Recipes or visit my Prairie Story.

Sophie Pitura's Recipe Cards

Polish emigrants, Paul Pitura and Sophie Parnega married on November 19, 1906. Five sons were born to them, Frank, Stanley, Walter, and twins Carl and Joseph. They purchased a grocery store business in Winnipeg’s north end and operated it for some eight years. It entailed long and hard hours so they decided with a family of three sons that a better place to raise the family was on a farm in Domain – approximately 25 miles south west of Winnipeg.

Family values were very important being an officer of the Polish army brought with it discipline and respect, love and understanding. Paul and Sophie left a legacy of faith and a rich heritage; and some recently rediscovered recipes cards.

As I sit here writing this in 2010, it is almost unimaginable to me what my Great Grandparents went through to provide their children, grandchildren, great grandchildren (and so on), a "better" life.

In honor of my Great Grandma Sophie Pitura, I am beyond honored and excited to be sharing some of her recipes. My Great Grandma passed away the year I was born, so I never knew her, however, I am feeling a little more connected as I make some of her 100+ year old recipes!

To take your taste buds for a walk down memory lane, click here to see Sophie's Recipes or visit my Prairie Story.

Alison (Pitura) Zulyniak