Apple Brandy Pecan Cake

Name: Apple Brandy Pecan Cake
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 20 servings
Ingredients: 1/2 cup butter, softened; 1 cup packed brown sugar; 3 large eggs, room temperature; 2 cups unsweetened applesauce; 2 tablespoons apple brandy; 3 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 3/4 teaspoon ground allspice; 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 3 medium tart apples, peeled cored and chopped, about 3 cups; 1 cup finely chopped pecans; Hot caramel ice cream topping, optional

My favorite apple cake is made with a shot of brandy and drizzled with caramel to set off the wonderful flavors. If alcohol is a no-go, use orange juice instead of apple brandy. If you'd rather go the chocolate route, add mini chocolate chips to the cake and use chocolate ice cream topping for the drizzle. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
3 large eggs, room temperature
2 cups unsweetened applesauce
2 tablespoons apple brandy
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3 medium tart apples, peeled cored and chopped, about 3 cups
1 cup finely chopped pecans
Hot caramel ice cream topping, optional

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. Lightly grease a 13x9-in. baking pan.
In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until well blended, about 3 minutes. Add 1 egg at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in applesauce and brandy. In another bowl, whisk flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg; gradually add to butter mixture. Fold in apples and pecans.
Transfer to prepared pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 40-50 minutes. Cool completely. If desired, top with caramel topping.