Layered Applesauce Cake

Cake Ingredients

3/4 cup butter
1 1/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 1/4 cups flour
2 1/4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups applesauce
1/3 cup milk
1/2 cup each: chopped pecans and golden raisins

Browned Butter Frosting Ingredients

1/2 cup butter
3 1/2 - 4 cups confectioners sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
Dash salt
1/4 cup light cream or half and half
Fresh apple slices, if desired

Cake Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 

 For cake, cream butter and sugar in large mixer bowl until light and fluffy.  Beat in eggs and vanilla until well blended.  Combine dry ingredients. In a small bowl combine applesauce and milk.  Add dry ingredients alternately with applesauce mixture, beating well after each addition.  Begin and end with dry ingredients.

Divide batter evenly between two well-buttered and floured 8 inch square cake pans.  Bake 30-35 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.  Cool in pans 15 minutes.

Remove from pans and cool completely on wire racks.

Frosting Directions

Melt butter in 1 qt. saucepan.  Continue heating over medium heat until butter is light amber in color; stir frequently. 

Cool butter slightly.  Combine melted butter, 3 1/2 cups sugar, vanilla, salt, and cream in small mixer bowl.

Beat until smooth and of spreading consistency; add additional sugar, if necessary.  To serve, place one layer of cake on serving plate.

Spread half of the frosting over cake.  Repeat with second layer.
Garnish with apple slices just before serving, if desired.
Serves 16.