Never Fail Applesauce Spice Cake

Ingridients

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 3/4 cups white sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

1/2 teaspoon ground allspice

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup buttermilk

1 1/2 cups applesauce

2 eggs

3/4 cup chopped walnuts

1/4 cup butter

1 cup chopped pecans

4 cups confectioners' sugar

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions

Sift flour, white sugar, soda, salt, baking powder, and spices into a large mixing bowl. Mix in 1/2 cup butter or margarine, buttermilk, and applesauce. Beat for 2 minutes with an electric mixer on medium speed. Beat in eggs. Fold in 3/4 cup chopped nuts. Pour batter into a greased and floured 9 x 13 inch pan.

Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 50 minutes.

Mix confectioners' sugar, cream cheese, and vanilla until smooth. Melt 1/4 cup butter over medium heat, and add 1 cup chopped pecans. Keep stirring until browned. Stir cooled pecans into cream cheese mixture. Frost the cooled cake.