Warm Thanksgiving Apple Cake

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Coat an 11 x 15-inch jelly roll pan with nonstick cooking spray.

With an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar together in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, and continue beating until blended. Add the flour, baking soda, and spices and beat until just incorporated. Stir in the apples, nuts, and vanilla. Scrape into the prepared pan. Bake until a skewer inserted into the center comes out with just a few crumbs attached to it, 35 to 40 minutes.

Set the pan on a rack to cool for 10 minutes, cut the cake into squares, and serve.

Excerpted from Perfect Party Food, by Diane Phillips. Copyright 2005, used by permission from The Harvard Common Press http://www.harvardcommonpress.com.