Chunky Apple Cake

Found this recipe in one of those grocery store recipe books...you know, the ones you pick up, glance at, then usually put back... Sadly, this one had about 6 recipes that caught my eye, and the tantalizing title "Fall Baking." Who doesn't love Fall recipes? The smell of cinnamon, nutmeg, apples bubbling in butter and brown sugar....yum! Anyway, made it for Misty and Sean tonight, and we all loved it, so here it is:

Cake:

3/4 c. butter or margarine, softened

1 1/2 c. sugar

3 eggs

1/4 c. applesauce

1/2 t. vanilla

2 1/2 c. flour

2 t. baking soda

1/2 t. salt

2 t. ground cinnamon

3 c. coarsely chopped peeled baking apples

1 c. chopped walnuts (optional)

Heat oven to 350. Spray and flour tube/bundt cake pan. In large bowl beat together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time. Stir in applesauce and vanilla. Add flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and mix completely. Stir in apples and walnuts. Spoon into pan. Bake 50-65 minutes or until top springs back. Cool completely before frosting (remove from pan before frosting).

Frosting:

1/2 c. butter

3 1/4 c. powdered sugar

1 t. vanilla

1 to 3 T. milk

Heat butter over medium heat, stirring constantly until golden brown. Remove from heat and gradually beat in powdered sugar. Add vanilla and milk until desired spreading consistency is reached. Generously spread over top and down sides of cake.