CHUNKY APPLE CAKE WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING - **Update

I made this last week, we didn't make the frosting, just served the cake with vanilla ice cream. It wasn't the best I've ever made, I'm not sure I'll make this again.

If I do, I'd use smaller chunks of apples, I broke apart the slices, but they didn't bake down enough so they were chewy. It was also difficult to gage when it was done cooking. I took it out too early because the "toothpick" test didn't work.


CHUNKY APPLE CAKE WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

1/2 cup butter, melted
2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
4 Granny Smith apples, peeled and sliced
1 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
Cream Cheese Frosting (see below)
Chopped walnuts, toasted (optional)

STIR together first 4 ingredients in a large bowl until blended.

COMBINE flour and next 3 ingredients; add to butter mixture, stirring
until blended. Stir in apple slices and 1 cup walnuts. Spread into a
greased 13- x 9-inch pan.

BAKE at 350° for 45 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center
comes out clean. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack. Spread with
Cream Cheese Frosting; sprinkle with walnuts, if desired. Yield: 12
to 15 servings.
Prep: 25 min., Bake: 45 min.

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING:

1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
3 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

BEAT cream cheese and butter at medium speed with an electric mixer
until creamy. Gradually add sugar and salt, beating until blended.
Stir in vanilla.
Yield: 1 2/3 cups.