Another tasty recipe from Cake Mix Magic, this one using fresh apples and homemade caramel frosting (yes, folks, you read right: HOMEMADE caramel frosting…don’t worry, it’s really easy). Pecans are optional in this recipe, I didn’t use them, but don’t let that stop you. Make sure that you are using unsalted butter, it lets you control the salt content of the recipe. In this case, the salt is built into the cake mix.

1 box (18.5 oz) Spice cake mix
1/4 dark brown sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup peeled, chopped tart apple, such as Golden Delicious (about 1 large apple)
1 cup chopped pecans, optional

Preheat oven to 350F and position rack in center of the oven. Set aside a 13×9 inch baking pan, coated in cooking spray if needed.

In a large mixing bowl, combine cake mix, brown sugar, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Using an electric mixer, beat on low speed for 1-2 minutes, until all dry ingredients are moist. Fold in apple pieces (peel and chop apple after beating batter to prevent browning).

Spoon dough into baking pan and spread into an even layer (dough will puff up as it bakes). If desired, sprinkle with chopped pecans, gently pressing them into the dough.

Bake 20-25 minutes, or until bars are golden brown but still soft. Transfer pan to a wire rack to cool.

Caramel Frosting:

1 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1/4 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups powdered sugar, sifted

Over medium heat, melt brown sugar with butter. Bring to a boil and add milk. Bring back to a boil and remove from heat.

Add vanilla and powdered sugar. Using a spoon, beat until smooth. Use while still warm (frosting will thicken as it cools).

This entry was posted on Thursday, October 11th, 2007 at 5:05 am and is filed under Desserts, Recipes. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.