When I was a child growing up in a rural Southern Indiana community, there were always local gatherings and food was always involved. We met at a local farmer's maple syrup camp in the Fall for a wiener roast and taking turns stirring the syrup. We met in the Summer in a neighbor's front yard for an old fashion ice cream social. in fact, this recipe for Iron Skillet Applesauce Cake was his daughter's recipe. We sometimes met at the vacant lot across from the general store for picnics, often with puppet shows and miniature merry-go-round rides on a merry-go-round provided by the local bread company. The local churches held gospel sings followed by snacks and desserts either on the lawn or later in the fellowship halls. Some of my favorite recipes come from foods brought to these functions by the good cooks in the neighborhood. Many of the recipes I post, such as this one, are from these very gatherings. Ah, the memories. Times certainly do change but memories remain!

IRON SKILLET APPLESAUCE CAKE
This recipe was from a neighbor when I was a child.

1 1/2 cup flour
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/3 cup butter
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup raisins

Preheat the oven to a temperature of 325 degrees. Line the bottom of an iron skillet with waxed paper and set it aside while mixing cake.

Dissolve soda in applesauce. Stir in the sugars, butter, and the beaten egg. Blend in the flour and spices. Add the raisins which have been plumped by mixing 1/4 cup sugar and a little water and bringing to a boil with the raisins. When the cake batter is mixed well pour the batter into the iron skillet and bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick in the center comes out clean.

Enjoy!