Cake _Apple Cheese Filling ---- Bundt Cake

Prep / Total time: 4 hours 10 minutes Makes 12 servings

CREAM CHEESE FILLING:
1         (8-ounces) package cream cheese, softened
1/4      cup butter, softened
1/2      cup granulated sugar
1         large egg
2         tablespoons all-purpose flour
1         teaspoon vanilla extract

CAKE WITH APPLE BATTER:
1        cup finely chopped pecans
3        cups all-purpose flour
1        cup granulated sugar
1        cup firmly packed light brown sugar
2        teaspoons ground cinnamon
1        teaspoon salt
1        teaspoon baking soda
1        teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2     teaspoon ground allspice
3        large eggs, lightly beaten
3/4     cup canola oil
3/4     cup applesauce
1        teaspoon vanilla extract
3        cups peeled and finely chopped Gala apples (about 1-1/2 pound)

PRALINE FROSTING:
1/2      cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1/4      cup butter
3         tablespoons milk
1         teaspoon vanilla extract
1         cup powdered sugar

1.     Prepare Filling: Beat first 3 ingredients at medium speed with an electric mixer until blended and smooth. Add egg, flour, and vanilla; beat just until blended.
2.     Prepare Batter: Preheat oven to 350º. Bake pecans in a shallow pan 8 to 10 minutes or until toasted and fragrant, stirring halfway through. Stir together 3 cups flour and next 7 ingredients in a large bowl; stir in eggs and next 3 ingredients, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened. Stir in apples and pecans.
3.     Spoon two-thirds of apple mixture into a greased and floured 14-cup Bundt pan. Spoon Cream Cheese Filling over apple mixture, leaving a 1-inch border around edges of pan. Swirl filling through apple mixture using a paring knife. Spoon remaining apple mixture over Cream Cheese Filling.
4.     Bake at 350º for 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes or until a long wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool cake in pan on a wire rack 15 minutes; remove from pan to wire rack, and cool completely (about 2 hours).
5.     Prepare Frosting: Bring 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup butter, and 3 Tbsp. milk to a boil in a 2-qt. saucepan over medium heat, whisking constantly; boil 1 minute, whisking constantly. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Gradually whisk in powdered sugar until smooth; stir gently 3 to 5 minutes or until mixture begins to cool and thickens slightly. Pour immediately over cooled cake.

TIP:
This delicious apple bundt  cake features a sweet cream cheese filling and homemade praline frosting. Garnish the frosting with extra toasted pecans.