APPLE CREAM COFFEE CAKE

This is a tender cake with a nice and sweet treat in the center.

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 20 min. Bake: 40 min. + cooling

MAKES: 12-16 servings

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter, softened

• 1-1/2 cups sugar, divided

• 2 eggs

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream

• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

• 1 medium apple, peeled and thinly sliced

Directions

• In a large bowl, cream butter and 1 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Blend in vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with sour cream, beating well after each addition. In a small bowl, combine the nuts, cinnamon and remaining sugar.

• Spread half of the batter in a well-greased 10-in. tube pan with a removable bottom. Top with apple slices; sprinkle with half of the nut mixture. Top with remaining batter, then with remaining nut mixture.

• Bake at 375° for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool in pan for 30 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen. Lift cake with removable bottom from pan. Cool completely. Before serving, carefully lift cake from pan bottom. Yield: 12-16 servings.