Take a bite out of the American heartland or better yet, dig in your pitchfork into this apple cake recipe straight from The American Gothic Cookbook, a compilation of American painter Grant Wood's family and friends heirloom recipes.

This is a deliciously satisfying afternoon coffee cake. I make this recipe with a pinch of nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon mixed into the cake batter. So good with vanilla ice cream too.

Apple Cake

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 beaten egg
1 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
Pinch of salt
2 cups peeled and diced apples
1/3 cup chopped nuts (optional)
Cinnamon sugar for topping

Cream butter and sugar. Mix in the remaining ingredients, except cinnamon sugar.Pour into a lightly buttered 8-inch square pan or loaf pan. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar and bake at 350 for 40-50 minutes until firm.

Yield: 6-9