Apple Pie Cake

Ingredients

• Cooking Spray
• 1 cup chopped toasted pecans
• 1 cup plus 3 Tbsp. packed light brown sugar, divided
• 1/4 cup cup, plus 1/3 cup melted butter, divided
• 2 pounds Granny Smith apples, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (from 1 lemon)
• 1 package (15.25-oz.) pkg. classic white cake mix (such as Duncan Hines)
• 1 cup whole milk
• 3 large egg whites

Directions

• Step 1Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 13- x 9-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Stir together pecans, 1 cup of the brown sugar, 1/4 cup of the melted butter, and 1/4 teaspoon of the apple pie spice in a medium bowl until well combined; set aside.
• Step 2Stir together apples, lemon juice, and  remaining 3 tablespoons brown sugar and 1 teaspoon apple pie spice in a large bowl until apples are completely coated; set aside.
• Step 3Beat cake mix, milk, egg whites, and remaining 1/3 cup melted butter with a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment on low speed for 1 minute. Increase speed to medium, and beat 2 more minutes. Pour batter into prepared baking dish. Arrange apple mixture evenly over batter. Sprinkle pecan mixture evenly over apples.
• Step 4Bake in preheated oven until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, 45 to 50 minutes, covering with aluminum foil after 40 minutes to prevent excessive browning. Transfer to a wire rack, and cool 30 minutes before serving or cool completely. Store tightly covered at room temperature up to 2 days.

ORIGINAL