Spiced Apple Cake with Brown Sugar Cream Cheese Frosting
This cake is moist and delicious. It can keep in the fridge for up to 5 days, which makes it a good choice for serving during the holidays. If you don't like nuts, try substituting dried cranberries which add a lot of flavour and colour.
Serves 10-12.
4 cups apples, peeled, seeded and chopped into small pieces
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2 tsp. vanilla
2 cups flour
1/2 cup milk
2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 cup roughly chopped pecans, walnuts or dried cranberries (reserve 1/4 cup for the top of the frosted cake)
Brown Sugar Cream Cheese Frosting:
1 - 8 ounce package regular or light cream cheese, at room temperature
1/4 cup butter
2 tsp. vanilla
1 cup golden brown sugar
Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease and lightly flour one 13x9x2 inch baking pan. Set aside. If you would like to make a layer cake, use two 8 or 9 inch round pans.
In a large mixing bowl, combine apples and sugar. With a wooden spoon or rubber spatula, stir in oil, eggs, and vanilla. Combine all of the dry ingredients. Add flour mixture to apple mixture. Add milk and stir just until combined. Add nuts or cranberries. Pour batter into prepared baking pan.
Bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool down for 15 minutes before removing from pan. Let cake completely cool before frosting.
For Frosting:
In a mixing bowl, using and electric mixer, beat cream cheese until smooth. Scrape bowl. Add butter and beat until mixture is very smooth and free from lumps. Add vanilla and brown sugar. Beat for five minutes until frosting is light and fluffy and the sugar has completely dissolved.
Use the frosting to decorate the cake once it has cooled. Sprinkle the top of the cake with reserved nuts or cranberries for garnish. Refrigerate after frosting.
Per Serving: 537 calories, 76.9 grams carbohydrates (54%), 7.6 grams protein (6%), 23.8 grams fat (40%).One serving supplies half a serving of fruits and vegetables. N/A for special diets.