Applesauce Spice Cake

Very good cake that the whole family enjoys. Recipe source: Bon Appetit (February 1985)

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Serves: 10-12

Ingredients

• For cake

• 2 1⁄2 cups flour
• 2  cups sugar
• 2  cups applesauce
• 1⁄2 cup vegetable shortening (Crisco) or 1⁄2 cup margarine, room temperature
• 1⁄2 cup water
• 2  eggs, beaten
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1  teaspoon vanilla
• 1  teaspoon cinnamon
• 1⁄2 teaspoon clove, ground
• 1⁄2 teaspoon allspice, ground
• 1⁄2 teaspoon nutmeg, grated
• 1  cup  chopped walnuts (optional)
• 1  cup raisins

• For frosting

• 3⁄4 cup butter, room temperature
• 5  cups powdered sugar, sifted
• 1⁄4 cup milk
• 2  teaspoons vanilla

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350-degrees F.
2. Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans.
3. Combine all cake ingredients excep for walnuts and raisins (flour - nutmeg) in a large bowl of an electric mixer and beat well. Stir in walnuts (if using) and raisins. Pour into pans, spreading evenly. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until cakes test done with a toothpick and are golden brown. Cool cakes on a cake rack. When completely cool spread frosting (recipe below) between layers and on top and sides of cake. If desired, sprinkle cake with chopped walnuts.
4. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until cakes test done with a toothpick and are golden brown.
5. Cool cakes on a cake rack. When completely cool spread frosting (recipe below) between layers and on top and sides of cake. If desired, sprinkle cake with chopped walnuts.
6. To make frosting using an electric mixer beat butter in a small bowl until light (3 minutes) and then add remaining frosting ingredients, beating until smooth (3 minutes).