Chunky Apple Walnut Cake with Cream Cheese Icing

I forgot to take a picture, but this was heavenly!

Cake

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter, melted 
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 large eggs 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 4 Granny Smith apples, peeled and sliced
• 1 cup chopped walnuts, toasted 
• Chopped walnuts, toasted (optional) 

1. Stir together first 4 ingredients in a large bowl until blended.
2. Combine flour and next 3 ingredients; add to butter mixture, stirring until blended. Stir in apple slices and 1 cup walnuts. Spread into a greased 13- x 9-inch pan.
3. Bake at 350° for 45 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack. Spread with Cream Cheese Frosting; sprinkle with walnuts, if desired.

Icing

Ingredients

• 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 3 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened $
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. Beat cream cheese and butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add sugar and salt, beating until blended. Stir in vanilla.

Southern Living
SEPTEMBER 2001