Apple Pecan Cake with Cinnamon

APPLE PECAN CAKE WITH CINNAMON FROSTING          CAKE: 2 eggs 2 c. sugar 1/2 tsp. salt 2 tsp. vanilla extract 1 1/2 c. vegetable oil 2 tbsp. lemon juice, strained 1 tbsp. lemon rind 3 c. plain flour 1 1/4 tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. cinnamon 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg 3 c. Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and grated 2 1/4 c. pecans, chopped FROSTING: 4 1/2 oz. cream cheese, softened 3/4 c. sweet butter 1 1/2 c. confectioners' sugar 3/4 tsp. cinnamon 3/4 tsp. vanilla GARNISH: 3/4 c. chopped pecans 40 whole pecans Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, beat eggs until frothy. Beat in sugar, salt, vanilla, and vegetable oil, lemon juice and lemon rind. Beat until well blended and set aside. In a separate bowl, measure out 3 cups of flour. Add baking soda, cinnamon and nutmeg and sift ingredients together. Gradually beat the dry ingredients into sugar-egg mixture until well blended. Stir in the grated apples and chopped nuts. Butter a tube pan and flour lightly. Pour in cake batter and bake at 355 degrees for 1 1/2 hours or until done. Cool in pan for a few minutes. In a large bowl, combine all frosting ingredients except pecans. Beat until fluffy. Spread onto cool cake. Sprinkle top with chopped pecans. Garnish base with whole pecans.

Enjoy.

Contributed by :

 * World Recipes Y-Group