MAKES 8 TO 10 SERVINGS
Crisp fall days, apples, and the luscious smell of baking spice cake go together in perfect harmony. Keep it simple, but make the day special with this great-tasting, easy apple cake.
Spray a 4-quart slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.
Place the apple slices in the slow cooker. Spoon the applesauce over the apples, then sprinkle with the brown sugar.
Sprinkle the cake mix evenly over the fruit. Distribute the butter slivers evenly over the top.
Cover the slow cooker and bake on High for 2 to 2½ hours or until the fruit is tender, the cake is set, and a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean. Serve warm. Top each serving with a scoop of ice cream, if desired.
tips: Sprinkle the applesauce with 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon if a spicier dish is preferred.
Sprinkle 1 cup fruit and nut granola, or ¾ cup chopped toasted pecans or walnuts over the cake mix before baking. Proceed as the recipe directs.
Substitute 8 (4-ounce) containers chopped apples, drained, for the apple slices.
Substitute 5 medium apples, cored and sliced (or about 7 cups of sliced apples) for the packaged apple slices. Toss the apple slices in 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice, then proceed as the recipe directs. Increase the sugar to ⅓ to ½ cup packed brown sugar if tart apples are used.
The packaged, sliced apples have a variety of apples included and are not peeled. If slicing your own apples, you may want to peel the apples; the choice is yours.