Recipe: Applesauce Loaf Cake with Caramel Frosting

APPLESAUCE LOAF CAKE
This recipe can be doubled or tripled.

1 1/2 C. unsweetened applesauce
1/2 C. lard
1 C. sugar
1 C. raisins
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. ground allspice
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking soda
2 C. flour
1/2 C. black walnuts, chopped
1 heaping T. cocoa powder

Heat applesauce in large saucepan. Add lard. Stir until melted. Add raisins and baking soda. Cool slightly. Add flour, salt and spices. Mix well. Fold in nut meats. Pour into a greased large loaf pan. Bake at 350 F for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Cool and frost with Caramel Frosting.

Caramel Frosting

1 C. brown sugar
1/4 C. butter
1/4 C. milk
1 C. confectioners' sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Boil brown sugar, butter and milk for 3 minutes ( I do this in the Microwave) and let cool until just warm. Add confectioners' sugar and vanilla extract. Beat until smooth and right consistency. If too stiff you can add a little milk.