1 (8oz) package cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 large egg
2 TBS all purpose flour
1 tsp vanilla
Apple Cake Batter:
1 cup finely chopped pecans
3 cups all purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp allspice
3 large eggs, lightly beaten
3/4 cup canola oil (vegetable will also work)
3/4 cup apple sauce
1 tsp vanilla
3 cups peeled and finely chopped Gala apples (Red Delicious will also work)
Praline Frosting:
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup butter
3 TBS milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup powdered sugar
1. Prepare Filling: Beat first 3 ingredients at medium speed with an electric mixer until blended and smooth. Add egg, flour and vanilla. Beat just until blended.
2. Prepare Batter: Preheat oven to 350. Stir together 3 cups flour and next 7 ingredients in a large bowl. Stir in eggs and next 3 ingredients, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened. Stir in apples and pecans.
3. Spoon 2/3's of apple mixture into a greased, floured 14 cup bundt pan. Spoon cream cheese filling over apple mixture, leaving a 1" border around edges of pan. Swirl filling through apple mixture using a paring knife. Spoon remaining apple mixture over cream cheese filling.
4. Bake at 350 for 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool cake in pan on wire rack and cool completely (2 hours).
5. Prepare Frosting: Bring 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup butter and 3 TBS milk to a boil in a 2qt saucepan over medium heat, whisking constantly. Boil 1 minute, whisking constantly. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla. Gradually whisk in powdered sugar until smooth. Stir gently 3-5 minutes or until mixture begins to cool and thicken slightly. Pour immediately over cake. Top with pecan halves.
