Cinnamon-Apple Cake With Hard Sauce

Found online posted by Lisa Saltzman. Reminiscent of an old-fashioned plum pudding, this moist cake is bursting with cinnamon and apple flavor. It’s served with a decadent hard sauce spiked with Grand Marnier for a nuance of orange. Sprinkle the cake with powdered sugar, if desired.

• Ready In: 1 hr 30 mins
• Serves: 12

Ingredients

• CAKE

• 3⁄4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 1⁄2 cups sugar
• 1⁄2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 2  eggs
• 2  cups all-purpose flour
• 1  tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 2  teaspoons baking soda
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 3 1⁄2 cups fuji apples, peeled, chopped
• 1  cup walnuts, chopped
• 1  cup dried cranberries

• SAUCE

• 1⁄2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1  cup powdered sugar
• 1  tablespoon  orange-flavored liqueur, such as Grand Marnier or 1  tablespoon  orange juice
• 1  tablespoon milk
• 2  teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1⁄8 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. Heat oven to 325°F Grease and flour 10-cup Bundt or tube pan.
2. Whisk melted butter, sugar and brown sugar in large bowl; whisk in eggs. Whisk flour, 1 tablespoon cinnamon, baking soda and 1 teaspoon salt in medium bowl; gently stir into butter mixture. Fold in apples, walnuts and cranberries. (Batter will be stiff.) Spoon into pan.
3. Bake 1 hour 5 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes or until skewer inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack 15 minutes. Invert cake onto wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.*.
4. Meanwhile, beat 1/2 cup butter and powdered sugar in medium bowl at medium-high speed 2 to 3 minutes or until well-blended. Add all remaining sauce ingredients; beat 1 minute or until smooth. Serve at room temperature. (Sauce can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate.).
5. TIP *To warm cake, cover loosely with foil. Bake at 300°F for 15 to 20 minutes.