William Tell's Never-Miss Apple Cake

By Nicole S

Ingredients

• PRALINE ICING:
• 1 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 carrots
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup butter, cubed
• 2 T milk
• 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans, toasted

Preparation

Step 1

1. Preheat oven to 350°. 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 flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and baking soda; gradually beat into oil mixture until blended. Stir in 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 for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool 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 1 minute. Remove from heat; whisk in confectioners' sugar and vanilla until smooth. Drizzle over cake. Sprinkle with pecans.