Spiced Apple Cake

AMAZINGNESS!

4 peeled, cored and diced Granny Smith apples
1/2 cup of light brown Sugar
1/2 white sugar
2 tsp of white granulated sugar
1 egg (beaten)
1/2 cup chopped toasted walnuts***
1 tsp of vanilla extract
1/4 cup of shortening (or healthy version - Unsweetened applesauce)

Dry ingredients
1 cup of all purpose white flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp of baking soda
1/4 tsp of salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp Apple Pie Spice

1.) Preheat oven to 350 and grease and flour an 8x8 inch pan. (glass or metal)
2.)  Take peeled, cored, and diced apples and put in a microwave safe bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Poke several holes with a knife for vents.
3.) Microwave apples for 5 minutes on high
4.) Meanwhile combine dry ingredients in a medium sized bowl.
5.) In a large bowl, cream the shortening (or unsweetened applesauce), brown sugar and beaten egg.
6.) Take the cooked apples out of the microwave, throw away the plastic wrap.
7.) Pour the apples into a medium sauce pan and cook on stove on medium/high till all the water has evaporated. (about 5-7 mins). Take off heat. Let apples cool about 2-3 mins.
8.) To the 'creamed' mixture (from step 4) add apples, chopped toasted nuts, vanilla, and sift in the dry ingredients. Mix with a wooden spoon until just combined. **do not over mix or you will create too much gluten and cake will be tough**
9.) Spoon batter evenly into 8x8 pan. Sprinkle 2 tsp of granulated white sugar evenly over the top,
10.) Bake in 350 oven for 35-40 minutes - or until toothpick comes out clean.
May be served hot or cold. With or without whipped cream.

***How to toast walnuts (or any nut)
1.) Preheat oven to 350
2.) Put the amount of desired nuts on cookie sheet
3.) put them in the oven on the middle rack
4.) WATCH CLOSELY - should take about 5-7 mins. DO NOT LET THEM BURN.
5.) they will be slightly browned.
6.) take out and let cool.