2cupsGranny Smith aplespeeled and diced into 1/3 inch pieces.
½cupcoarsely chopped walnuts or pecansoptional
Frosting:
4Tbspbutter
¼cupbrown sugar
3Tbspmaple syrup
4ozcream cheeseat room temperature
Instructions
Preheat oven to to 350 degrees.
Grease and flour the bottom and sides of a 9 inch square pan. (or you can use baking spray that has flour in it)
In a medium bowl, whisk together thflour, baking power, cinnamon, cloves, ginger baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the 1/2 cup butter. Beat with the paddle attachment on medium for about 1 minute until creamy. Add in the sugar and beat for 2 minutes until fluffy and light.
Add the vanilla. Then add in the eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Next add in alternating 1/3 the flour mixture, half of the buttermilk beating after each addition ending with the flour.
Fold in the apples and nuts if desired. Spread the butter into the preapred pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes until the center of the cake is set and not giggly. Allow to cool completely.
To make the frosting, beat together the butter, brown sugar, and syrup until light and airy (about 3 minutes). Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the cream cheese and beat for 1½ minutes.
Spread frosting over the top of the cooled cake. Place the cake in the refrigerator and chill for 45 minutes. Cut into 9 pieces.