Ideal for lunch boxes or coffee time entertaining, this moist apple-filled cake will keep for several days when covered and refrigerated.

Preparation time:   15 min Baking time:   35 min Oven temp:   375 degrees F

For 1 13-by-9-inch cake you will need: 1 cup sugar 1/2 cup butter or margarine 3 eggs 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 tsp. cocoa 1 tsp. cinnamon 1/2 tsp. ground cloves 1/2 cup cold coffee 1 tsp. baking soda 3 cups peeled, chopped fresh apples 1/2 cup chopped pitted dates 1 cup chopped nuts Caramel Icing (recipe follows)

 

1. Cream sugar with butter. Add eggs and beat until light and fluffy. 2. Stir together flour, cocoa, cinnamon and cloves. Add dry ingredients to egg mixture alternately with cold coffee. 3. Stir in the baking soda, blending in very well. Fold in apples, dates and nuts. 4. Turn into buttered 13-by-9-inch cake pan. 5. Bake at 375 degrees F for 35 min or until cake springs back when touched in the center. Caramel Icing: Combine 1/3 cup butter or margarine in saucepan with 1 cup brown sugar, packed. Stir in 1/4 cup half-and-half or milk. Bring to boil. Simmer 3 min. Remove from heat. Cool 10 min., then blend in 1 cup sifted powdered sugar. Spread on cooled cake.