Crock Pot Chocolate Applesauce Cake
6 tbsp butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 tsp cinnamon
4 squares unsweetened baking chocolate, melted
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/3 cup buttermilk
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Sifted confectioners’ sugar
In a large bowl, beat together the butter and sugar with an electric mixer on high for 2 minutes, or until fluffy. Beat in the applesauce, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and eggs until well mixed. Beat in the melted chocolate until blended. Add the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. With the mixer on low speed, beat in the dry ingredients, adding the buttermilk as you beat. Beat just until evenly mixed. By hand, stir in the chocolate chips and walnuts. Scrape the batter into a buttered 3-1/2-quart crockpot and smooth the top. Cover and cook on the HIGH heat setting 2-1/4 to 2-1/2 hours, or until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean. (Do not cook on the low heat for a longer time.) Remove the lid and let the cake stand in the crockpot until just barely warm. To unmold, run a sharp knife around the inside edges of the cooker and with a large spatula, carefully lift out the cake in one piece. Sprinkle confectioners’ sugar over the top and cut into wedges to serve.