Apple Cake

I made this for a party last night. It was wonderful! Here's how to make your own...

Fresh Apple Cake

1 1/2 cups chopped pecans

1/2 cup butter, melted

2 cups sugar

2 large eggs

1 tsp. vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

2 1/2 lb. Granny Smith apples (about 4 large), peeled and cut into 1/4-inch-thick wedges

Browned-Butter frosting

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake pecans in a single layer in a shallow pan 5 to 7 minutes or until lightly toasted and fragrant, stirring halfway through.

2. Stir together butter and next 3 ingredients in a large bowl until blended.

3. Combine flour and next 3 ingredients; add to butter mixture, stirring until blended. Stir in apples and 1 cup pecans. (Batter will be very thick, similar to cookie dough.) Spread batter into a lightly greased 13- by 9-inch pan.

4. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack (about 45 minutes). Spread browned-butter frosting over cake; sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup pecans.

Browned-Butter Frosting

1 cup butter

1 (16-oz.) package powdered sugar

1/4 cup milk

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1. Cook butter in a small heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly, 6 to 8 minutes or until butter begins to turn golden brown. Remove pan from heat immediately, and pour butter into a small bowl. Cover and chill 1 hour or until butter is cool and begins to solidify.

2. Beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy; gradually add powdered sugar alternately with milk, beginning and ending with powdered sugar. Beat mixture at low speed until well blended after each addition. Stir in vanilla.

Both recipes courtesy Southern Living Magazine.