Walnut Praline Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting Recipes

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350ºF.
• Process 2/3 cup nuts in food processor or blender until finely ground. Prepare cake batter as directed on package; stir in ground nuts. Pour into 2 (9-inch) round pans sprayed with cooking spray.
• Bake 25 min. or until toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool 10 min. Remove cakes from pans to wire racks; cool completely.
• Meanwhile, cover baking sheet with foil; spray with cooking spray. Bring granulated sugar and water to boil in small saucepan on medium-high heat; simmer on medium-low heat 5 min. or until deep golden brown, stirring occasionally. Stir in remaining nuts; spread onto prepared baking sheet. Cool completely.
• Beat cream cheese and butter in large bowl with mixer until blended. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating well after each addition. Melt chocolate as directed on package; cool slightly.
• Reserve 2 cups frosting. Add 2/3 of the melted chocolate to remaining frosting in bowl; beat until blended. Carefully remove nuts from foil; break into small clusters.
• Cut each cake layer horizontally in half; stack on plate, spreading chocolate frosting between layers. Frost top and side of cake with reserved plain cream cheese frosting. Sprinkle nuts over top of cake. Drizzle with remaining melted chocolate.

Steps:

• Make cake:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour three 9-inch-diameter cake pans with 1 1/2-inch-high sides. Combine apples and water in small saucepan. Cover; simmer over medium-low heat until apples are tender, about 20 minutes. Place in processor; purée until smooth. Cool purée. Sift 2 1/2 cups flour and next 5 ingredients into medium bowl. Toss currants with remaining 1 tablespoon flour in small bowl to coat; mix in walnuts.
• Using electric mixer, beat sugar, butter, brandy and vanilla in large bowl until blended. Beat in eggs 1 at a time. Beat in half of flour mixture and 1 1/4 cups apple purée, then remaining flour mixture (re-serve any remaining puree for another use). Stir in currants and walnuts. Divide batter among prepared pans.
• Bake cakes until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Cut around pan sides to loosen cakes; turn out onto racks and cool.
• Make frosting:
• Using electric mixer, beat butter and sugar in large bowl until blended. Beat in cream cheese, then maple syrup and flavoring. Chill until beginning to firm, about 20 minutes.
• Assemble cake:
• Place 1 cake layer on platter. Spread with 3/4 cup frosting. Top with second layer; spread with 3/4 cup frosting. Top with third layer. Spread 1 cup frosting in thin layer over cake. Chill 15 minutes. Spread remaining frosting over cake. Press 2 cups walnuts halfway up sides of cake. Chill until frosting is set, at least 30 minutes. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; keep chilled. Let stand at room temperature 1 hour before serving.)

Steps:

• In a large bowl, beat together eggs, sugar, oil and vanilla. Combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt; mix into the batter. Fold in apples and nuts. , Spread into a 13x9-in. baking pan. Bake at 325° for 50-60 minutes or until cake tests done. Cool. , For the frosting, combine all ingredients in a small bowl. Whip until smooth and spread over cake.