Walnut Spice Cake

By Kathy Johnson

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups Gold Medal all-purpose flour or Softsilk cake flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 3/4 tsp baking soda
• 3/4 tsp ground cloves
• 3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 3/4 cup shortening
• 1 1/4 cup buttermilk
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup chopped California walnuts
• Caramel Frosting
• 1/2 cup margarine or butter
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup milk
• 2 cups powdered sugar

Preparation

Step 1

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour 2 round pans, 9 x 1 1/2 inches. Beat all ingredients except walnuts on low speed for 30 seconds, scraping bowl constantly. Beat on high for 3 minutes, scraping bowl frequently. Stir in walnuts. Pour into pans. Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans and cool completely. Fill and frost with Caramel Frosting.

Caramel Frosting
Melt margarine or butter in 2 quart saucepan. Stir in brown sugar. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir over low heat for 2 minutes. Stir in milk. Heat to boiling; remove from heat. Cool to lukewarm. Gradually stir in powdered sugar. Place saucepan in bowl of cold water; beat until smooth and spreading consistency.