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["1.", "Allow butter and eggs to stand at room temp 30 min.", "Lightly grease bottoms of (3) 8x11/2-inch round cake pans.", "Line bottoms of pans w/waxed paper.", "Grease and lightly flour waxed paper and sides of pans; set aside.", "In large bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and ginger.", "2.", "In large mixing bowl, beat butter w/an electric mixer for 30 sec.", "Gradually add sugar; beat until well-combined.", "Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition.", "Add molasses and vanilla; beat until well-combined (mixture will appear curdled).", "Alternately add the flour mixture and buttermilk to butter mixture, beating on low speed after each addition just until combined.", "Pour 1 cup plus 2 T of batter into each prepared pan.", "Refrigerate the remaining batter.", "3.", "Bake in a 375 oven about 15 min, or until a wooden toothpick inserted near center comes out clean.", "Cool for 10 min in pans on wire racks.", "Remove from pans and completely cool on wire racks.", "Wash pans; line bottoms w/waxed paper, grease and lightly flour.", "Repeat with remaining batter.", "4.", "In a med bowl, combine applesauce, apple butter and if you like, apple pie spice.", "To assemble, select cake layer that's most attractive; set aside for top layer.", "On a serving plate, place one of the remaining layers; spread about 3⁄4 c of applesauce mixture to within 1⁄2 inch of edge.", "Repeat with remaining 4 cake layers and applesauce mixture.", "Place reserved cake layer on top.", "Cover and chill for at least 6 or up to 24 hours before serving.", "(Chilling the assembled cake makes it easier to slice.)", "5.", "To serve, remove cake from fridge.", "Let stand for 1 hour.", "Just before serving, spread the whipped cream on top; sprinkle w/nuts.", "If you like, garnish cake platter w/rose petals or edible flowers.", "Makes 24 servings.", "Courtesy of: Diana McMillen, ""Midwest Living"" Magazine"]
