By Jennifer Alexander Ruple

As crisp autumn breezes sweep across southeast Michigan and the landscape glows with brilliant shades of gold, amber, and crimson, the Gust family welcomes visitors to Gust Brothers Pumpkin Farm, 13639 Mulberry Rd. in Ottawa Lake, Mich. Established in 1989 on a century-old family farm, the destination captures the warmth and charm of the harvest season with pumpkins and gourds, colorful fall décor, homemade baked goods, handcrafted candles and hayrides. Guests can also enjoy and feed the farm animals in the barn, making it a favorite autumn tradition for families throughout the region. The farm is open for the fall season though Halloween.

To celebrate the season, Therese Gust shares two of her favorite family recipes: a warmly spiced Raw Apple Cake filled with chopped apples, nuts, and raisins, and Aunt Barb’s Apple Salad, a crisp blend of apples, walnuts, and dried cranberries served with a sweet and tangy maple dressing. Happy harvest!

Raw Apple Cake
4 cups apple (4 to 5 medium), peeled and chopped
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 cups flour
1 cup raisins
½ cup canola or vegetable oil

Heat oven to 350 F. Grease and flour a 9 x 13-inch baking dish.

In a large bowl, stir together all ingredients, except apples. Fold in apples.

Pour mixture into prepared dish and bake for 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Aunt Barb’s Apple Salad
Lettuce
2 apples, thinly sliced
Walnuts
Dried cranberries

Dressing
¼ cup pure maple syrup
¼ cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoons white vinegar
2 teaspoons sugar
½ cup oil

On a large platter or in a large bowl, arrange salad ingredients.

Whisk together dressing ingredients. Serve on the side of the salad.