Never Miss Apple Cake

Each fall this cake is a family favorite. Baked with a layer of cream cheese filling in a fluted tube pan.. Topped with a PRALINE ICING.

• Ready In: 1 hr 30 mins
• Serves: 12

Ingredients

• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 2  cups sugar, divided
• 4  eggs
• 1  cup canola oil
• 2  cups all-purpose flour
• 2  teaspoons baking powder
• 2  teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon baking soda
• 2  cups  chopped peeled tart apples
• 1  cup  shredded carrot
• 1⁄2 cup  chopped pecans

• PRALINE ICING

• 1⁄2 cup  packed brown sugar
• 1⁄4 cup butter, cubed
• 2  tablespoons 2% low-fat milk
• 1⁄2 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1⁄4 cup  chopped pecans, toasted

Directions

1. In a small bowl, beat cream cheese and 1/4 cup sugar until smooth. Beat in 1 egg; set aside.
2. In a large bowl, beat oil with remaining sugar and eggs until well blended. Combine the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and baking soda; gradually beat into oil mixture until blended. Stir in the apples, carrots and pecans.
3. Transfer half of the apple batter to a greased and floured 10-in. fluted tube pan; layer with cream cheese mixture and remaining apple batter.
4. Bake at 350°F/180Cfor 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely.
5. In a large saucepan, bring the brown sugar, butter and milk to a boil. Cook and stir for 1 minute. Remove from the heat; whisk in confectioners' sugar and vanilla until smooth. Drizzle over cake. Sprinkle with pecans. Yield: 12 servings.
6. Nutrition Facts: 1 slice equals 614 calories, 36 g fat (9 g saturated fat), 102 mg cholesterol, 407 mg sodium, 68 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 7 g protein.