Applenut Cake

This is a good cake for year round, but I love it during the holidays. It's like a little teaser of all the apple pie you're going to get.

Cake Ingredients:

1 cup butter, softened
2 cups white sugar
3 eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3 cups coarsley chopped peeled baking apples (I prefer Granny Smith's)
1 cup chopped walnuts

Frosting Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter (do NOT use margerine)
3 1/4 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Method:

1. Heat oven to 350 F. Spray 12-cup bundt cake pan with baking spray and flour lightly.
2. In large bowl, beat 1 cup butter and white sugar with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, the flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Stir in apples and walnuts. Spoon into pan.
3. Bake 50-65 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes. Remove from pan to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 1 hour 30 minutes.
4. In 2-quart saucepan, heat 1/2 cup butter over medium heat, stirring constantly, until golden brown. Gradually beat in powdered sugar with spoon. Stir in 1 teaspoon and add milk if necessary until desired spreading consistency. Generously spread frosting over top and partially down side of cake.

Enjoy!!