Carolina Cookin'

Ingredients
Mix:
1-1/2 cups cooking oil
2 cups sugar
4 eggs, beaten
Sift together:
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla
Add:
1 teaspoon baking soda
3 cups diced peeled apples
1 cup chopped nuts
Sauce:
1 teaspoon butter
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup milk
1 Tablespoon vanilla

Simmer sauce for 3 minutes, then pour over warm cake.

Bake at 350 degrees for one hour.

Executive Mansion Budget Crunch Brownies

The first family likes to serve this dessert during receptions. Since our state is in the process of dealing with a large budget shortfall, we like to stick to the tried and true recipes that can be prepared on a shoestring budget. This recipe fits the bill; we hope you like it. ... Governor and Mrs. Michael F. Easley

Ingredients
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
2/3 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
1 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan. In a saucepan or microwave, melt chocolate and butter. Blend in sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Then stir in flour, baking powder, salt, and nuts. Pour the mixture into the baking pan. Bake for 30 minutes. Cool slightly, then cut into bars.

Yield: 24 brownies.