Fig Cake

Ingredients

• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 1/2 cups fig preserves
• 1/2 cup applesauce
• 1 cup chopped pecans, toasted
• Cream Cheese Frosting
• Garnishes: dried figs, fresh raspberries, fresh mint sprigs

Instructions

1. Begin cake batter: Preheat oven to 350°F. Beat first 3 ingredients at medium speed with an electric mixer until blended. Add buttermilk and vanilla; beat well.
2. Add remaining ingredients: Combine flour and next 5 ingredients; gradually add to buttermilk mixture, beating until blended. Fold in fig preserves, applesauce, and pecans. (Batter will be thin.) Divide batter between 2 greased and floured 8-inch round cake pans.
3. Bake cake layers: Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on wire racks 10 minutes; invert cakes, and cool completely on wire racks.
4. Frost cake: Spread frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake. Store in refrigerator. Garnish, if desired.