Apple Walnut Cake With Brown Sugar Frosting
Cake:
1 can apple pie filling
2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsps. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. salt
2 eggs, beaten
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2/3 cup vegetable oil
3/4 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup raisins (optional)
Frosting:
7 tablespoons unsalted butter
2/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup milk
2 1/4 cups confectioners' sugar
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread pie filling on the bottom of a greased 9x13 baking dish. In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside. In a large bowl combine eggs, vanilla, oil, nuts, and raisins. Pour flour mixture into egg mixture and mix until combined. Pour over pie filling in baking dish and stir until blended. Smooth batter evenly in pan. Bake 40-50 mins; until a toothpick inserted in the center of cake comes out clean. Place baking dish on a wire rack to cool while you make the frosting.
To make the frosting: Melt the butter in a small pan over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar and salt and cook, stirring, until the sugar melts. Add the milk, bring to a boil, and pour into a mixing bowl to cool for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, stir in the confectioners' sugar and vanilla. Beat well; if the mixture appears too thin, add more confectioners' sugar. Pour the frosting onto the warm cake, smoothing it over the entire surface. Serve warm, or let it cool and serve at room temperature.