Apple Spice Walnut Cake

I was perusing various blog parties the other day and ran across this recipe from a blogger called Create With Joy.  This cake looked so divine that I had to adapt it to my repertoire.  But first, of course, I had to change it.  I had all these cake mixes that were purchased on sale so, I used one instead of making the cake part from scratch.  But I churched it up….so, still divine!

This is a three part cake and a little bit of a hassle but, well worth it.  At least, well worth it for a special event.

So, here it is:

APPLE SPICE WALNUT CAKE

Caramelized Apple Layer

1 1/2 Apples, sliced thinly
3 tbsp Butter  1/4 cup Sugar
1 tsp Cinnamon
1/2 tsp Nutmeg
1 tsp Allspice
1 tsp Cornstarch

Combine the sugar, cornstarch and spices in a ziploc bag.  Add the sliced apples to the ziploc and shake until coated.  Melt the butter and saute the apples in the butter until they are tender.

Cinnamon Streusel Topping

1 cup Flour
1 1/2 cups Brown Sugar, sifted
1 tbsp Cinnamon
1 cup Cold Butter
1 cup Walnuts, chopped

Combine flour, sugar and cinnamon.  Cut in the butter with a pastry blender until crumbly.  Set aside.

Cake Layer

1 box Vanilla Cake Mix (mix according to directions)
1 cup sour cream
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp almond flavoring
1 tsp Cinnamon
1 cups Apples, chopped in small pieces

Mix the cake according to directions and add the sour cream, vanilla, almond flavoring and cinnamon.  Mix for a minute or two and add the apples.  Blend for another minute.

Now for the layering:

Butter a bundt pan generously.  Put the apples in the bottom of the pan.  Divide the streusal in half and then set aside a little bit out of one of the halves for the top.  Sprinkle one half of the streusel on top of the apples.  Layer 3/4 of the cake batter on top of the streusel layer.  Top that with the other half of streusel (except for a little bit for the top).  Put the last 1/4 of cake batter on top of second streusel layer and top with the last of the streusel mix.

So, to be clear…..apples…then streusel…then batter….then streusel….then batter…then streusel. Whew!

Put the cake in a preheated 325 degree oven.  Cook for 1 hour 15 minutes.  Then check to see if it is done.  Cook in 5 minute intervals after that, if not.  Mine was.  Don’t overcook!

I decided to link up my pretty little cake with some other bloggers and their parties:

Prairie Story Recipe Swap Thursday
Miz Helen’s Full Plate Thursday
Ultimate Recipe Swap Thursday

Tasty Traditions