Apple Spice Cake!

This is a favorite of ours, from Cooking Light. It's a perfect afternoon snack with an iced coffee or cold glass of milk.

With cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg it makes the house smell really good!

So moist, and with chunks of apple... you'll love this one!

Apple Spice Cake- Cooking Light
1 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/3 cup (3 ounces) block-style fat-free cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup low-fat buttermilk
1 cup chopped peeled Braeburn apple
2 tablespoons brandy (optional)
Cooking spray
2 teaspoons powdered sugar

Preparation- (I use a 9" round pan with "bake-even" strips so that it is level at the end of the baking time.)


Preheat oven to 350°.

Place the first 4 ingredients in a large bowl, and beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended (about 3 minutes). Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition.

Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour and the next 5 ingredients (flour through nutmeg), stirring with a whisk. Add flour mixture and buttermilk alternately to sugar mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture; beat well after each addition. Stir in the apple and brandy, if desired.

Spoon mixture into an 8-inch square baking pan coated with cooking spray.
Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Remove from pan; cool completely on wire rack. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.