PIONEER WOMAN APPLESAUCE CAKE RECIPES

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with nonstick baking spray with flour.
• In a large bowl, whisk to combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, apple pie spice, granulated sugar and brown sugar. Add the applesauce, oil, milk, eggs and vanilla extract. Whisk just until thoroughly combined. Mix in the chopped walnuts, if using. 
• Transfer the batter to the prepared baking pan and bake for 35-40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out with just a few moist crumbs. Let the cake cool in the pan, on a wire rack, about 1 ½ hours.
• For the icing: Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, brown the butter by melting it over medium heat, then let it cook and bubble for an additional 3-5 minutes or until the foam and butter underneath is golden brown. Transfer it to a heatproof bowl and swirl a few times to help it stop browning. Let it cool completely at room temperature while the cake bakes and cools, about 2 hours.
• Once the butter has cooled, beat with a hand mixer (or in the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment) until creamy and smooth, scraping the bottom of the bowl once. Add the powdered sugar, maple syrup, vanilla, salt and heavy cream. Beat on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Spread over top of the cake, then top with more walnuts, if you like. Slice and serve, or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. 

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Prepare a 9-inch round baking pan with non-stick baking spray and line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper. 
• In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, eggs, apple butter, melted butter and vanilla until well combined. Add the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and baking soda. Whisk until just combined. Add the apples and pecans and fold in with a rubber spatula to incorporate. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and spread in an even layer. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean, 28 to 32 minutes.
• Remove the cake from the oven and cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Remove the cake from the pan, remove and discard the parchment paper and place cake on a wire rack to cool completely, about 1 hour.
• Dust the cake lightly with powdered sugar just before serving.