Makeover White Christmas Cake Recipe

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup water
• 2 ounces white baking chocolate, chopped
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/8 teaspoon rum extract
• 1-1/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup cake flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1/3 cup chopped pecans, toasted
• 1/4 cup flaked coconut
• FROSTING:
• 1 package (8 ounces) reduced-fat cream cheese
• 1/3 cup butter, softened
• 2 ounces white baking chocolate, melted
• 3-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

Directions

• In a small saucepan, bring water to a boil. Remove from the heat; stir in chocolate until melted. Cool for 20 minutes. Line two 9-in. round baking pans with waxed paper and coat the paper with cooking spray; set aside.
• Meanwhile, in a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until crumbly, about 2 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the applesauce, extract and reserved chocolate mixture (batter will appear curdled). Combine the flours, baking powder and baking soda; add to butter mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating well after each addition. Stir in pecans and coconut.
• Transfer to prepared pans. Bake at 350° for 22-27 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
• For frosting, in a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter and chocolate until blended. Add confectioners' sugar; beat until smooth. Spread frosting between layers and over top and sides of cake. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Remove from the refrigerator 15 minutes before serving. Yield: 16 servings.

Makeover White Christmas Cake published in Healthy Cooking December/January 2009, p19