Applesauce Spice Cake

Applesauce Spice Cake

Ingredients:

1 cup raisins

1 cup dried cherries

3 cups apple cider or apple juice

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1 cup unsweetened applesauce (for a sweeter cake, use sweetened applesauce)

3/4 cup vegetable oil

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup all purpose flour

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1 cup walnuts, chopped

powdered sugar

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Directions:

In a saucepan stir together the raisins and dried cherries; stir in the apple cider. Bring mixture to boiling; reduce heat. Boil gently, uncovered, for 30 to 35 minutes or until the liquid is almost absorbed. Remove pan from heat; cool 20 minutes.

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Meanwhile grease and lightly flour a fluted (bundt) tube pan; set aside.

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In a large bowl, combine eggs, applesauce, oil and vanilla. In a medium bowl combine flours, cinnamon baking powder, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, and cloves. Stir flour mixture into applesauce mixture just until combined. Stir in raisin mixture and nuts. Transfer to prepared pan.

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Bake the cake in a 350 oven about 50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack for 15 minutes; remove from pan on wire rack for 15 minutes; Remove from pan and let cake cool completely. Wrap and store overnight. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before slicing.

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This recipe was copied from the magazine Midwest Living. I have relied on this magazine for many years for accurate but delicious recipes usually contributed by the great Midwest cooks!