Fuji Apple Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups unsweetened applesauce
• 2 medium Fuji or Gala apples
• 1 ½ cups pecans
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• + 16 more ingredients
• • 2 9-inch-diameter cake pans with 2-inch-high sides
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons bourbon, apple brandy, or rum (optional)
  • 1 8-ounce package cream cheese
  • 1 ¾ teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground allspice
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg or ground nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 ¼ cups sugar
  • ¾ cup (packed) golden brown sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • pecans
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 350°F. Butter and flour two 9-inch-diameter cake pans with 2-inch high sides. Line bottom of each pan with parchment paper round. Whisk first 7 ingredients in medium bowl. Using electric mixer, beat 1 cup butter in large bowl until fluffy. Add both s...

View full recipe at Epicurious