Spiced-Apple Enchantment

This recipe is taken from the First for Women Magazine, October 2011 Issue... I could not find it online, but wanted to save it in my recipes. Per serving: Cal. 343 Pro. 4g Carb. 61g Fiber 1g Sug. 42g Chol. 3mg Sod. 485mg Total fat: 39g Sat. 6g Trans. 0g

• Ready In: 1 hr 10 mins
• Serves: 12
• Yields: 1 Cake

Ingredients

• 4  red apples or 4  green apples, divided
• 1 (14 ounce) box  gingerbread cake mix
• 1 1⁄4 cups  apple juice, warm
• 1  lemon, zested, juiced and divided
• 2 (3 ounce) boxes vanilla instant pudding mix
• 1  tablespoon crystallized ginger, chopped
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2  cups milk
• 1 (16 ounce) container  frozen whipped topping, thawed

Directions

1. 1. Heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Core and chop 1 apple. Prepare cake mix according to directions, using apple juice instead of water. Add chopped apple and 1 Tbs. lemon zest, pour into greased 9" springform pan. Bake 35 minute or until done. Let cool in pan 15 min.; invert onto rack. Let cool.
2. 2. In bowl, blend next 4 ingredients, fold in whipped topping. Halve and thinly slice 1 apple; toss with lemon juice. Peel, core and chop 2 apples; microwave 4 minute Let cool.
3. 3. Cut cake into 2 layers; place 1 in clean springform pan. Line sides with apple slices. Fill with cooked apples and pudding mixture. Add cake layer. Chill 4 hours/ Garnish with cream and apples if desired.