Gum Drop Cakes

by Johnna Johnson
(Scottsdale, AZ, USA)

These colorful cakes are fun for kids to make (and eat!).

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter
1 egg
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 pound raisins
1 cup pecans, chopped
1/2 pound colored gum drops,sliced
1/2 pound orange slices (gum drops), sliced
3/4 cup apple sauce
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon baking soda, dissolved in 1/4 cup of water

Cream butter and sugar; add egg and beat hard. Put some flour over raisins, nuts and sliced gumdrops. Add spices to remaining flour and sift. Add apple sauce to sugar, butter and egg; then add gumdrops, raisins and nuts. Add baking soda and water mixture, then flour and spices. Add vanilla extract last. Bake in two buttered and floured loaf pans for 1 to 1 1/2 hours in 300F (150C) degree oven until firm on top.

*Cool these and then dust with powdered sugar OR I use a 12 ounce container of store bought fluffy white frosting, color about 1/4 cup with food color and pipe lines lengthwise and pull a toothpick through for a marbled effect.