Spiced Apple Cake

5 lg Mcintosh apples; peeled, cor

2 c Granulated sugar

2 tb Granulated sugar

2 1/4 ts Cinnamon; or to taste

3/4 ts Nutmeg; freshly grated +/-

3 c Unbleached all purpose flour

1 ts Salt

1 tb Double acting baking powder

2 Unsalted butter sticks; melt

2 tb Unsalted butter; softened

4 lg Eggs; beaten lightly

2 1/2 ts Vanilla

1/4 c Fresh orange juice

1/2 c Light brown sugar; firmly

1/4 cup Walnuts (preferably black) -- finely chopped

In a bowl combine the apples, 2 T. of the granulated sugar, 2 t. of the cinnamon, and 1/2 t. of the nutmeg and let the mixture stand for 20 minutes. In a bowl whisk together the flour, remaining 2 cups granulated sugar, slat and baking powder and make a well in the center. Whisk in the melted butter, eggs, vanilla, and the orange juice and whisk the batter until it is combined well. Pour 1/3 of the batter into a buttered 13x9 baking dish and spoon half the apple mixture over it. Pour half the remaining batter over the apple mixture, cover it with the remaining apple mixture, and cover the apple mixture with the remaining batter. In a small bowl combine well the brown sugar, walnuts, softened butter, remaining 1/4 t. cinnamon and remaining 1/4 t. nut-meg., sprinkle the mixture over the batter, and bake the cake in the middle of a preheated 350 oven for 35 - 40 min, or until golden and a tester comes out clean.
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