CHUNKY APPLE CAKE WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

2 cups flour
2 tsp ground cinnamon,
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
4 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and sliced
1 cup chopped walnuts
Cream Cheese Frosting (recipe follows)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour as 13x9x2 inch baking pan, or spray with Pam.

In a small bowl mix together the first 4 dry ingredients; set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla until fluffy. Add the flour mixture slowly, until well blended. Stir in the apple slices and walnuts. Spread batter into the prepared pan.

Bake about 45 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool completely and spread with cream cheese frosting.

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

1/2 cup butter (1 stick), room temperature
1 (8 oz) pkg cream cheese, room temperature
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
Handful of chopped walnut for garnish (optional)

In a medium mixing bowl, beat the butter, cream cheese, and vanilla until smooth. On low speed, slowly add powdered sugar until combined; beat on high until frosting is smooth. Spread over cooled cake and sprinkle chopped nuts on top, if desired.