Cinnamon-Apple Cake With Hard Sauce - cooking recipe

Ingredients

CAKE
3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
2 eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
3 1/2 cups fuji apples, peeled, chopped
1 cup walnuts, chopped
1 cup dried cranberries
SAUCE
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon orange-flavored liqueur, such as Grand Marnier or 1 tablespoon orange juice
1 tablespoon milk
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon salt

Preparation

Heat oven to 325\u00b0F Grease and flour 10-cup Bundt or tube pan.
Whisk melted butter, sugar and brown sugar in large bowl; whisk in eggs. Whisk flour, 1 tablespoon cinnamon, baking soda and 1 teaspoon salt in medium bowl; gently stir into butter mixture. Fold in apples, walnuts and cranberries. (Batter will be stiff.) Spoon into pan.
Bake 1 hour 5 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes or until skewer inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack 15 minutes. Invert cake onto wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.*.
Meanwhile, beat 1/2 cup butter and powdered sugar in medium bowl at medium-high speed 2 to 3 minutes or until well-blended. Add all remaining sauce ingredients; beat 1 minute or until smooth. Serve at room temperature. (Sauce can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate.).
TIP *To warm cake, cover loosely with foil. Bake at 300\u00b0F for 15 to 20 minutes.