My apple cake with the gravy, because it is very heavy with apples is not good as a layer cake, doesn't cut well and with 4 cups of apples, it's heavy!. But it is spectacular as a 9 by 12 cake....with gravy on each square....passed warm in a pitcher....with maybe a small scoop of vanilla ice cream....and the "gravy" over the top.
You can probably cut 16 pieces out of one cake....but....it's also very good for breakfast!!

I have used this one for a layered birthday cake....with a caramel frosting...or maybe a burnt sugar....I forget. I cut back a little on the nutmeg....I think 1 tsp is a bit much and for a layer cake, that recipe makes 2 8 inch layers. And I always use my own applesauce. When I am making applesauce, I reserve a cup and make this cake.

Cake, Applesauce, mine
1 egg beaten
1/2 cup shortening�I use butter
1 cup of sugar
1 cup cold unsweetened applesauce
1 3/4 cups AP flour
1 tsp soda
3/4 tsps salt
1 tsp nutmeg
1 1/2 tsps cinnamon
1/4 tsp powdered cloves
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup raisins and nuts cut up�optional

Sift together, flour soda, salt and spices
Cream shortening, beat in sugar, beat in the egg
and the applesauce and vanilla�.add the flour etc
and pour into a greased 8 � by 11 pan and bake at 350 for 45 to 60 minutes�.until a pick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Thanks. I think I'll try the applesauce cake, but maybe double it for 2 9x12 layers. I'll have to make the applesauce first; I'll keep it on the chunky side. Why does the applesauce have to be cold - so it doesn't cook the egg or so it's thicker? He can't have nuts & he's not a big fan of raisins, so hopefully it's still good without either of those additions. I actually asked about a recipe for caramel frosting here a year or 2 ago - it was my 1st post - hopefully I can find it!