Moist Baked Apple Spice Cake with Brown Sugar Cream Cheese Frosting

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350°F. Line bottoms of 2 greased 9-inch round baking pans with parchment; grease parchment.

2. 2

   In a food processor, pulse the apples until finely chopped. In a large bowl, beat the sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla until well blended. In another bowl, whisk the flour, pie spice, baking powder, and salt; gradually beat into the sugar mixture alternately with the buttermilk. Fold in the chopped apples and walnuts.

3. 3

   Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 35-40 minutes. Cool the cakes in the pans for 10 minutes before removing to wire racks; remove the parchment. Allow the cakes to cool completely.

4. 4

   In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter, confectioners' sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, and pie spice until smooth. Spread the frosting between the cake layers and over the top and sides of the cake. Gently press the remaining toasted walnuts into the frosting on top of the cake. Refrigerate any leftovers.