Maple Frosted Applesauce Cake

• Cake
• whole wheat flour↗2 cups
• all-purpose flour↗1 cup
• granulated sugar↗2 cups
• baking soda↗1 1⁄2 teaspoons
• salt↗1 1⁄2 teaspoons
• ground cinnamon↗1 teaspoon
• nutmeg↗1⁄2 teaspoon
• clove1⁄4 teaspoon

  (use up to 1/2 teaspoon if you like a stronger clove flavor)

• applesauce↗2 1⁄2 cups

  (either store-bought or your own recipe)

• margarine↗1⁄2 cup

  (if using margarine, not spread or tub product) or 1/2 cup Crisco, melted

• eggs↗2
• chopped walnuts1⁄2 cup
• golden raisin (sultanas)↗1⁄2 cup
• Frosting↗
• cup butter↗1⁄4
• cup maple syrup↗1⁄4
• cup confectioners' sugar, sifted↗1 - 1 3⁄4
• tablespoon light corn syrup↗1
• teaspoon vanilla extract↗1⁄2
• walnut halves, if desired (to garnish)↗

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350F and lightly grease a bundt pan.

2. 2

   Sift the dry ingredients together into a bowl.

3. 3

   Add applesauce, butter or shortening, and eggs; beat for three minutes.

4. 4

   Stir in nuts and raisins.

5. 5

   Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 50 to 55 minutes or until the cake tests done.

6. 6

   Let stand for ten minutes; invert onto a cooling rack to complete cooling.

7. 7

   Heat butter in a small saucepan until lightly golden brown, taking care not to scorch.

8. 8

   Stir in maple syrup, sugar, corn syrup, and vanilla.

9. 9

   Heat and beat until frosting is smooth.

10. 10

    Frost cake and garnish, if desired.