First Prize Applesauce Cake with Caramel Frosting

This is a sinfully sweet and rich cake! It's a little time-consuming, but so worth it. Prep time is an estimate.

• Ready In: 1 hr 15 mins
• Yields: 1 9x13 pan

Ingredients

• 4  cups  sifted flour
• 4  teaspoons baking soda
• 1 1⁄4 teaspoons salt
• 2  teaspoons cinnamon
• 1⁄2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 2  tablespoons  cocoa
• 1  cup  salad oil
• 2  cups sugar
• 3  cups unsweetened applesauce, heated
• 1⁄2 cup  chopped  nuts

• Caramel Frosting

• 1⁄2 cup butter or 1⁄2 cup margarine
• 1  cup brown sugar
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄4 cup milk
• 2  cups confectioners' sugar

Directions

1. Sift together flour, soda, salt, spices and cocoa.
2. Set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine oil and sugar.
4. Beat until well blended.
5. Stir in hot applesauce and blend thoroughly.
6. Add dry ingredients, blending well.
7. Stir in nuts.
8. Turn batter into well greased and floured 9" x 13" pan.
9. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes; then reduce temperature to 375 degrees and bake about 15 minutes longer.
10. Cool completely.
11. Caramel Frosting:
12. Melt 1/2 c butter in sauce pan over low heat.
13. Stir in 1 c brown sugar, firmly packed, and 1/4 tsp salt.
14. Bring to a boil over medium heat; boil hard for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
15. Remove from heat.
16. Stir in 1/4 c milk.
17. Return pan to heat and bring to a full boil.
18. Remove from heat; cool to lukewarm.
19. Stir in 2 c confectioner's sugar, and beat until smooth.
20. If frosting is too thick, beat in a little milk.