Spice Applesauce Cake

 Serve this lovely spiced applesauce cake for a special occasion. This festive cake is also a favorite during the holiday season; so pretty and so delicious. Serve with mulled cider or a cup of hot cocoa, hot tea or a nice warm cup of coffee.

Makes a beautiful centerpiece for a special holiday table.

Ingredients:

·       1 cup raisins (1 tbs ap flour)
·       2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
·       1 tbsp. pumpkin pie spice
·       1 1/2 tsp. salt
·       1 tsp. baking powder
·       1/2 tsp. baking soda
·       1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
·       1/2 cup (1 stick/4 oz./113g) butter 
·       2 eggs
·       1 1/2 cups applesauce
·       1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
·       2 tbsp. confectioners' sugar

 

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Grease bottom and side of 12-cup fluted tube cake pan with shortening; lightly flour.

Toss 1 tablespoon flour and the raisins to coat

Mix 2 1/2 cups flour, the pumpkin pie spice, salt, baking powder and baking soda

Mix granulated sugar and butter with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds, scraping bowl constantly. Beat on high speed, scraping bowl occasionally, until light and fluffy.

Add eggs, one at a time, until smooth and blended. Reduce mixer speed to medium.

Add flour mixture alternately with applesauce until smooth.

Stir in raisin-flour mixture and walnuts. Pour into prepared pan.

Bake in preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean.

Cool 10 minutes; remove from pan to wire rack. Cool completely, about 2 hours.

Dust with confectioners' sugar and serve with sweetened whipped cream, if desired.