I’m beginning to survey my pantry here in Fort Lauderdale…and I’m looking for ways to use up what I have left in the cupboards and the refrigerator.
So today I noticed a half-empty jar of applesauce in the refrig. Then I found a partial container of raisin and nut trail mix in the cupboard…and the wheels in my brain began to turn.
How about an Applesauce Raisin Nut Cake?
I found a recipe online, and then I started to “tweak” it…based on what I had on hand…and the ingredients I thought would taste good when combined. And here is the finished product.
APPLESAUCE RAISIN NUT CAKE
2 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp fresh grated nutmeg
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp fresh grated nutmeg
Approx. 1 cup nuts and raisins…nuts chopped
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 cups unsweetened applesauce
2 eggs
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
METHOD
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 9 x 13 pan with cooking spray and set aside.
Mix together all dry ingredients and set aside.
COOKING TIP: When adding nuts or raisins to a recipe, stir them into the flour mixture to coat them. It will help to keep them from falling to the bottom of the cake as it bakes!
In another bowl combine vegetable oil, applesauce, eggs and vanilla. Combine wet and dry ingredients and mix well and pour into baking pan. Bake until done…approximately 40 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
Serve WARM with ice cream or whipped cream…or COOL and top with my favorite icing (since I also found a half-block of cream cheese and part of a stick of butter in the refrigerator during my earlier search)
CREAM CHEESE ICING
WHIP TOGETHER:
4 oz. softened cream cheese
2 or 3 Tablespoons softened unsalted butter
pinch of salt
1 tsp. vanilla
STIR IN
2 cups powdered sugar (approximately…I don’t measure!)
If needed…some half & half
Mix well with electric mixer. If icing is too stiff, stir in 1 Tablespoon half & half…and add more if needed.
Spread on cooled cake. Refrigerate until served…especially if you’ve topped it with the icing.
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