An Apple A Day Keeps Your Jeans From Buttoning

So I cook for function, not for fun. But over the holidays, my mother required me to contribute to the Thanksgiving dinner and requested an apple cake. Two minutes of Google and I came across this recipe on Southern Living: Chunky Apple Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting. OMG: So easy to make, quick to bake and ridiculously moist. I could not stop eating it and now my pants don't fit. Pictures to come. Give it a try. It is well worth the hour it takes.

Chunky Apple Cake

1/2  cup  butter, melted

2  cups  sugar

2  large eggs

1  teaspoon  vanilla extract

2  cups  all-purpose flour

1  teaspoon  baking soda

1  teaspoon  salt

2  teaspoons  ground cinnamon

4  Granny Smith apples, peeled and sliced

1  cup  chopped walnuts, toasted

Cream Cheese Frosting (recipe below)

Chopped walnuts, toasted (optional)

Preparation:

Stir together first 4 ingredients in a large bowl until blended. Combine flour and next 3 ingredients; add to butter mixture, stirring until blended. Stir in apple slices and 1 cup walnuts. Spread into a greased 13- x 9-inch pan. Bake at 350° for 45 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack. Spread with Cream Cheese Frosting; sprinkle with walnuts, if desired.

Cream Cheese Frosting

1  (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened

3  tablespoons  butter or margarine, softened

1 1/2  cups  powdered sugar

1/8  teaspoon  salt

1  teaspoon  vanilla extract

Preparation:

Beat cream cheese and butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add sugar and salt, beating until blended. Stir in vanilla.