Mad Men Dutch Cinnamon Apple Cake from 1963 New York Times

Whoo Hoo! Tomorrow is the Season Premiere of Mad Men on AMC. Mary of Popsicles and Sandy Feet and I are creating some Mad Men inspired drinks and food. Yesterday, I made Broiled Nectarines Halves from the 1963 Sunset Magazine.

Thirsty? Mary recommends two cocktails! A Salvatore Romano inspired Limoncello drink and Late-Harvest Wine and Campari cocktails.

To celebrate Mad Men's advertising firm heading into 1963 this season, I browsed recipes in the New York Times. They would print menu suggestions every few days in 1963! I picked Dutch Cinnamon Apple Cake from the September 5, 1963 New York Times.

This recipe is way old school. Like when we thought shortening was the bomb. Sure, what could be bad about taking some fat and solidifying it?

I also brought out a 40 year old electric mixer....a precursor of my KitchenAid.

The cake was easy to make and used up some apples I had in the refrig. Was it my favorite apple cake recipe? No (although using butter instead of shortening would probably bump the taste level up)...but I'm glad to go "back in time" and try something that Peggy Olson might bake for Father Gill! (Tom Hank's son is great in Mad Men)

Make a fun avatar on the Mad Men website!

Dutch Cinnamon Apple Cake
Adapted from: New York Times, September 5, 1963
1. Sift together: 1 1/2 c flour , 2 t baking powder, 1/2 t salt - set aside
2. Cream: 1/3 c shortening, 3/4 c sugar, 1/2 t cinnamon
3. Beat in 1 egg
4. Add flour mixture alternatively with 1/2 c milk
5. (I added 1/2 t vanilla to the milk)
6. Place batter in 9 x 9 pan (buttered and floured)
7. Peel, core and slice 2 tart cooking apples (I used three small granny smith apples). Place on top of batter.
8. Sprinkle over apples: 2 T sugar, 1/2 t cinnamon. Dot with 2 T butter.
9. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 40-50 minutes.

Mad Men, Season Premiere, AMC, Sunday, August 16, 2009, 10:00 pm