Sky-High Caramel Apple Spice Cake

ACTIVE TIME: 30 min. TOTAL TIME: 11⁄2 hrs. SERVES: 16

This bakeshop-beautiful wonder is easier than it looks to prepare, thanks to boxed cake mix and jarred caramel 2 (15 oz.) boxes yellow cake mix 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled

and diced

1 cup chopped pecans

1 Tbs. cinnamon

3 red apples, sliced 1⁄4"-thick

1⁄2 stick, plus 2 Tbs. butter, divided 2 (8 oz.) pkgs. cream cheese

1 cup powdered sugar

1 cup caramel sauce 1 Heat oven to 350°F. Prepare cake mixes as package directs, adding diced apples, pecans and cinnamon. Divide among 3 greased and lined 9" cake pans. Bake 35 to 40 min. Let cool.

2 In pan over medium heat, sauté red apple slices in 2 Tbs. butter 20 min.

3 With mixer on medium speed, beat cream cheese and remaining butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar; beat 5 min. Place 1 cake layer on platter; spread with half the frosting. Top with second layer; spread with remaining frosting. Top with third layer. Pour caramel over cake; top with apple slices.