Makeover Christmas Cake

Total Time: 55 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 25 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 16
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 (1 ounce) chocolate baking squares, chopped
• 1/4 cup butter (softened)
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/8 teaspoon rum extract
• 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup cake flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1/3 cup pecans, chopped and toasted
• 1/4 cup flaked coconut
• 1 (8 ounce) package reduced-fat cream cheese
• 2 (1 ounce) chocolate baking squares, melted
• 1/3 cup butter, softened
• 3 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

Recipe

• 1 in small saucepan, bring water to a boil.
• 2 remove from the heat; stir in chocolate until melted.
• 3 cool for 20 minutes.
• 4 line 2 9-inch round baking pans with waxed paper and coat the paper with cooking spray; set aside.
• 5 meanwhile, in large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar until crumbly, about 2 minutes.
• 6 add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
• 7 beat in the applesauce, extract and reserved chocolate mixture (batter will appear curdled).
• 8 combine the flours, baking powder and baking soda; add to butter mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating well after each addition.
• 9 stir in pecans and coconut.
• 10 transfer to prepared pans.
• 11 bake at 350 degrees for 22-27 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
• 12 cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
• 13 for frosting, in large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter and chocolate until blended.
• 14 add confectioners' sugar; beat until smooth.
• 15 spread frosting between layers and over top and sides of cake.
• 16 refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
• 17 remove from the refrigerator 15 minutes before serving.