Scents of freshly grated nutmeg, cinnamon and fresh apples spread throughout my house as the Nobby Apple Cake quietly baked in my oven. Not content to make just one cake, I doubled the recipe so I could share this delectable dessert cake with a few of my lucky friends. I followed the recipe carefully, substituting my favorite nut, pecans, for the walnuts specified in Margaret's recipe.

Fortunately, I had just visited our local apple orchard just a few days before. I selected two Granny Smiths, an Arkansas Red and a Golden Delicious to compliment the sugar, spice and pecans of the recipe. The recipe was well written, easy to follow and in a matter of minutes I had two nine-inch cakes nestled side-by-side on the middle rack of my oven. Forty-two minutes later I removed the two cakes that had risen, browned and perfumed my entire home. Once they cooled, I dusted them with powdered sugar, grooming them for a portrait on two of my wife's favorite pedestal cake plates.

My grandaughter, Kate, loaned me her new camera for the portrait session, in exchange of course, for a slice of the Nobby Apple Cake. We both agreed it was yummy ... the delicate taste of apple and pecans, wrapped by a tender spice cake. Nobby was exceptionally moist and satisfying, urging you to have another bite or two after your original serving had been consumed.

If you are seeking a holiday dessert to bring smiles to the faces of your family and friends, beckon Margaret's Nobby Apple Cake to your kitchen. You'll love the wonderful, spicy aroma as it bakes. A wonderful combination of nature's bounty comes together ... to treat and tease your senses.

Click here to see the other entries in our "Flavors of Ireland" Cookbook Challenge.

Click here to buy the "Christmas Flavors of Ireland" cookbook.