Zucchini Brownies with Buttermilk frosting

Last year I discovered that not all zucchini brownie recipes are created equal.  When I went home recently, I found the zucchini brownie recipe that my mom used to make.  This is a delicious way to use up the giant zucchini that was left on your doorstep.

Mix together:
2 c flour
1 c sugar
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/3 c cocoa

Add to:
2 c grated zucchini
1/2 c oil
1 beaten egg (best at room temperature)
2 tsp vanilla
1/2 c chopped nuts

Bake in 9x13 pan 350 degrees 18-20 mins.  You can also bake in a jelly roll pan aka cookie sheet for a more flat brownie (baking time will probably need to be adjusted)

Frosting
Melt together in saucepan until boiling:
1/4 c butter
3 Tablespoons baking cocoa
3 Tablespoons buttermilk

Remove from heat and add:
2 1/4 c powdered sugar
1/2 c chopped nuts
1/2 tsp vanilla

Cool slightly and add to baked brownies  YUMMY!.

Fresh Apple Cake

My mother passed away 14 years ago and recently I went home to visit the family.  A lot of her stuff is no longer in the house but there still remains a recipe box full of recipes she had collected over the years, many of which are in her own handwriting.  I was shuffling through it looking for something yummy to make and found the recipe for Fresh Apple Cake.  I don't remember ever having it growing up but had some apples I wanted to use so decided to make it.  It was delicious and I can tell will soon become a fan favorite.

Mix: 

4 cups of peeled and diced apples

2 cups of sugar

Then add:

1/2 c oil

1 c chopped nuts

1 cup raisins, plumped (to plump: soak in boiling water approx 10 mins)

Sift separately:

2 c flour

2 tsp baking soda

2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp salt

Gradually add dry mixture to apple mixture.  Bake 350 degrees for approx 40 minutes. 

It looks more like a cobbler than a cake.  Also, it tastes like a bar cookie but is much more moist and crumbly.  It paired perfectly with the vanilla ice cream we put on top.  Next time I make this I'm going to try it with white and brown sugar for a more caramelized taste.  Also, this would probably still be good with half the sugar as it was quite sweet.