Apple Molasses Snack Cake

Ingredients

• 2 cups flour all-purpose
• 1 teaspoon double-acting baking powder 
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 
• 0.5 teaspoon ground ginger 
• 0.3 teaspoon nutmeg 
• 0.3 teaspoon baking soda 
• 0.3 teaspoon salt 
• 0.8 cup brown sugar packed
• 0.5 cup butter softened
• 2  eggs 
• 0.5 cup blackstrap molasses 
• 0.5 cup buttermilk 
• 1.5 cups apples peeled chopped ()
• 1.5 cups powdered sugar 
• 0.3 cup butter softened
• 2 tablespoons buttermilk 
• 0.5 teaspoon vanilla 

Equipment

• bowl
• frying pan
• oven
• wire rack
• hand mixer
• toothpicks

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease 8-inch square pan with shortening; lightly flour.
2. In small bowl, mix 1 3/4 cups of the flour, the baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, baking soda and salt. In medium bowl, beat brown sugar and 1/2 cup butter with electric mixer on medium speed 3 minutes or until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time. On low speed, beat in molasses.
3. Add flour mixture to butter mixture alternately with 1/2 cup buttermilk, beating after each addition just until smooth.
4. Mix remaining 1/4 cup flour and the apples. Fold into batter.
5. Pour into pan.
6. Bake 45 to 50 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely on cooling rack, about 2 hours.
7. In medium bowl, beat powdered sugar, 1/4 cup butter, 2 tablespoons buttermilk and the vanilla with electric mixer on medium speed 2 minutes or until smooth. Frost cake.
8. Sprinkle with additional nutmeg, if desired.
9. Cut into 4 rows by 4 rows.