Chunky Apple Spice Cake With Vanilla Butter Sauce

A super-tasting apple cake that is so moist, wonderful with the butter sauce--this is so good! (Tip: I always make two, and keep one in the freezer, I just bring to room temperature, and warm in the oven--delicious!)

• Ready In: 1 hr 15 mins
• Yields: 1 9inch cake

Ingredients

• FOR CAKE

• 1⁄2 cup butter, softened
• 1  cup  firmly-packed light brown sugar
• 2  eggs
• 2  teaspoons vanilla
• 1  cup flour
• 1  tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1  teaspoon allspice
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 2  cups apples, peeled and chopped (preferably Granny Smith OR Gala apples)
• 1⁄2 cup  chopped walnuts
• 1⁄2 cup raisins (optional)

• VANILLA BUTTER SAUCE

• 1⁄2 cup butter (no substitutions)
• 1⁄2 cup  whipping cream (unwhipped)
• 1  cup  firmly-packed light brown sugar
• 2  tablespoons vanilla

Directions

1. Set oven to 350°F.
2. Grease a 9-inch baking pan.
3. For cake: Beat butter and brown sugar for 5 minutes in a mixing bowl, until light and fluffy; beat in eggs and vanilla just until blended; set aside.
4. Sift together, flour, pumpkin pie spice, allspice and salt. Gradually add to creamed mixture, beating until blended; stir in apples, nuts and raisins (if using).
5. Pour the batter/mixture into prepared baking pan.
6. Bake 35-40 minutes, or until the cake tests done. Cool on wire rack.
7. For butter sauce: Combine butter and whipping cream with brown sugar; bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat; simmer 10 minutes, or until slightly thickened. Remove from heat, stir in 2 tbsp vanilla, mix until blended.
8. Note: The sauce recipe may be doubled for a larger amount. Serve cake warm with vanilla butter sauce--delicious!
9. Do ahead note: The cake can be prepared a day ahead, and the following day, warmed up in the oven on low temperature, then served with warm sauce. Also the sauce can be prepared ahead, and then warmed if desired.