FROSTED APPLESAUCE CAKE

 

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups unsweetened applesauce
3/4 cup canola oil
2 eggs
1 cup chopped walnuts, divided

FROSTING:
1/2 cup butter
4 1/2 cups powdered sugar
6 tbsp apple juice, divided

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9 x 13-inch baking pan; set aside.

Into a large mixing bowl, sift the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Add the applesauce, oil, and eggs. Beat mixture at low speed of electric mixer until moistened. Beat at high speed for 2 minutes. Fold in 1/2 cup of the walnuts. Pour into the prepared baking pan and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan.

o prepare the frosting: Heat the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly, until lightly browned. Beat the melted butter and the powdered sugar with 4 tablespoons of the apple juice in a mixing bowl. Add remaining juice until frosting is of a spreading consistency. Stir 1/4 cup of the remaining walnuts into the frosting. Frost cake and sprinkle the remaining walnuts over the cake.

Note: This cake is even better the day after it is baked. Keep covered with plastic wrap overnight.

Note: File Photo of similar recipe.