Oatmeal Applesauce Spice Cake

Love may not make the world go around but it sure makes the ride worthwhile.  Hope you are all having a great valentine's day with your special someone - it is one of the best time of the year to blog-hop, have been enjoying....the chocolates, the hearts and the exotic meals !! This one is for my special someone !!

Happy Valentine's Day !!

 I made the spice cake and served it on a bed of chocolate sauce made with maple syrup, some vanilla ice cream on the side and chocolate handmade roses.

For the apple sauce 

3lbs - apples  - quartered and cored
1/2 cup water

Combine apple and water in a sauce pan, bring to a boil and simmer for about 20 min. when apples are tender mash it with a potato masher - not too smooth, consistence of a chunky puree. Keep aside !!

For the chocolate sauce :

Heat the maple syrup over medium-low heat in a saucepan add some star anise, cloves, 1 tsp natural unsweetened coco, 1/2 tsp instant coffee stir and keep aside. It has a nice spicy chococofee aroma. I have tried different kinds of chocolate sauces and find this one of my favorites - my own creation and am very pleased that it turned out so well. A bit runny than store bought sauce, goes very well with this cake.

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 cups oatmeal (uncooked)
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp cloves
1 tsp baking powder
3/4 cup butter softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 cup apple sauce - home made - recipe above
3/4 cup milk
3/4 cup raisins
3/4 cup dried cranberries

Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease and flower the baking dish.

In a bowl, mix flour, oatmeal, salt, cinnamon, cloves and baking powder.

In a large bowl,  cream butter with sugar. Add eggs, apple sauce and milk, beat until blended. Add the dry ingredients and the raisin - cranberries. stir well and pour into prepared  pans.

Bake for 30-35 mi, or until the cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Let it sit for 5-10 min, remove from pan and cool on wire racks.

Serve on a bed of warm chocolate sauce with some vanilla ice-cream.

For the chocolate roses

You need to make chocolate plastic. Will post the recipe soon :) 

Hope you all have a great valentine's day !!

Submitting for the event - Bon Vivant Moments hosted by Sumee, for sweet love hosted by Vardhini,  Cake, cookies and desserts hosted by Anjali  and Cook Eat Delicious Desserts for February hosted by Claire and  Raven   Thank you !!