READER REVIEWMy grandmother occasionally brought over a wonderful cake warm from the oven. The spicy apple flavor combined with the sweet cream cheese frosting made this dessert a treasured recipe. Even though I’ve lightened it up, it’s still a family favorite.
—LAURIS CONRAD TURLOCK, CA
PREP: 20 MIN. • BAKE: 35 MIN. + COOLING • MAKES: 18 SERVINGS
1 2/3 cups sugar
2 large eggs
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 tablespoons canola oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon salt
6 cups chopped peeled tart apples
1/2 cup chopped pecans
FROSTING
4 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
1. Preheat oven to 350°. Coat a 13x9-in. baking pan with cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl, beat sugar, eggs, applesauce, oil and vanilla until well blended. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; gradually beat into sugar mixture. Fold in apples and pecans.
3. Transfer to prepared pan. Bake 35-40 minutes or until top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack.
4. In a small bowl, beat cream cheese, butter and vanilla until smooth. Gradually beat in confectioners’ sugar (mixture will be soft). Spread over cake. Refrigerate leftovers.
Per piece: 241 cal., 7g fat (2g sat. fat), 29mg chol., 284mg sod., 42g carb. (30g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g pro.
Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1-1/2 fat, 1 fruit.
READER REVIEW
“This is a delicious cake. Our favorite! I used Chehalis apples from our tree, and it turned out moist and full of apple flavor. The cream cheese frosting is yummy, too.”
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