Ingredients:
3 large apples peeled use firm crisp apples, I used Cameo, cored and chopped
1 Tablespoon lemon juice to toss chopped apples with
1 3/4 cup white sugar
1/2 cup butter room temperature
1- 8 ounce pkg cream cheese room temperature
2 large eggs room temperature
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
Topping:
1/3 cup light brown sugar
3 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place baking rack in the middle of the oven. Grease a 13×9 inch baking pan with shortening.
1. Peel, core and chop 3 large firm crisp apples. Toss them in 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, set aside.
2. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the 1 3/4 cup of white sugar, butter, the cream cheese and vanilla until smooth. Add the eggs and beat until well combined and creamy.
3. Combine the flour,salt and baking powder in a small bowl, stir to combine. Add the flour mixture to the creamed mixture, beat with an electric mixer until just combined. Add the chopped apples and fold them into the batter.
4. Pour the apple batter into the prepared 13×9 inch baking pan. Leveling the batter out as needed.
5. In a small bowl combine the light brown sugar, cinnamon and chopped pecans. Sprinkle over the apple batter in pan.
6. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 -60 minutes or until the cake tests done with a toothpick.