Never-Miss Apple Cake

By Nanatimesthree

Ingredients

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 2 cups sugar, divided
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup canola oil
• 2 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 cups chopped peeled tart apples
• 1 cup shredded carrots
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans, optional
• ICING
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup butter, cubed
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans, optional

Preparation

Step 1

In a small bowl, beat cream cheese and 1/4 cup sugar until smooth. Beat in 1 egg; set aside.

In a large bowl, beat oil with remaining sugar and eggs until well blended. Combine the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and baking soda; gradually beat into oil mixture until blended. Stir in the apples, carrots, and pecans.

Transfer half of the apple batter to a greased and floured 10 inch fluted tube pan; layer with cream cheese mixture and remaining apple batter.

Bake at 350 for 50 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

In a large saucepan, bring the brown sugar, butter and milk to a boil. Cook and stir for 1 minute. remove from the heat; whisk in powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth. Drizzle over cake. Sprinkle with pecans.