APPLE AND HONEY CAKE

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons apple pie spice
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 cup margarine or butter
1 cup plus 3 tablespoons honey, divided use
2 eggs
1 cup orange juice
1/2 cup snipped dried apples

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Grease a 2-quart baking dish; set aside.

Stir together flour, baking powder, apple pie spice, baking soda and cardamom. Set aside.

In a mixing bowl beat margarine with an electric mixer on medium speed for 30 seconds. Add the 1 cup honey and eggs; beat until smooth. Add flour mixture and orange juice alternately to the beaten mixture, beating on low speed until just combined. Pour batter into prepared pan.

Bake for 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, pour boiling water over apples to cover. Let stand 15 minutes; drain well.

Sprinkle cake with apples. Bake 15 to 20 minutes more or until a wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

In a small saucepan heat the 3 tablespoons honey just until warm; drizzle over cake. Cool completely.

Servings: 16
Source: Better Homes and Gardens Magazine, September 1998