Brownie Applesauce Cake

• Ready In: 55 mins
• Serves: 12

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup butter
• 3 (1 ounce)  unsweetened chocolate squares
• 1  cup sugar
• 1 1⁄2 cups  Mott's applesauce
• 3  eggs, well beaten
• 1  teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1  teaspoon baking soda
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 cup  chopped walnuts

• APPLE CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

• 2 (8 ounce) packages  softened cream cheese
• 1⁄2 cup  softened butter
• 1  cup confectioners' sugar
• 1⁄2 cup  Mott's applesauce
• 1⁄2 cup  melted and cooled  caramel
• 1  teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350°F.
2. In large heavy saucepan, over low heat, melt butter and chocolate, stirring constantly.
3. Remove from heat and cool.
4. Blend sugar, applesauce, eggs and vanilla into chocolate mixture.
5. In large bowl, mix flour, baking soda, and salt.
6. With wooden spoon, stir in chocolate mixture until blended.
7. Stir in walnuts.
8. Pour batter into 2 greased and floured 8-inch round cake pans.
9. Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
10. Cool in pans 10 minutes.
11. Prepare Apple Cream Cheese Frosting.
12. Remove from pans; cool completely on wire racks.
13. Fill and frost with Apple Cream Cheese Frosting.
14. APPLE CREAM CHEESE FROSTING: In large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy.
15. Blend in confectioners' sugar, applesauce, caramels and vanilla extract.