That’s not the case with the following recipe. This Applesauce Snack Cake (from Martha Stewart) is impressive enough (and expensive enough) to please even your most important dinner guests. Your family will love it too.

APPLESAUCE SNACK CAKE

1 cup (2 sticks) plus 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus soft butter to coat pan
2 1/4 cups superfine sugar
2 1/2 cups applesauce
2 3/4 cups plus 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
Pinch ground cloves
Pinch salt
1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup chopped pecans
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 tablespoons Calvados (a French apple Brandy)
1 large apple, peeled and very thinly sliced (1 cup)
1/4 cup light-brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

1. Heat oven to 325°. Brush a 10-inch spring-form pan with soft butter. Coat the entire pan with 1/4 cup superfine sugar, lightly tap out excess sugar, and set pan aside.

2. Combine 1 cup butter and remaining 2 cups superfine sugar in bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat on medium speed, scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula, until mixture is light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Carefully fold in the applesauce. Do not overmix.

3. Sift together 2 3/4 cups flour, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, cloves, salt, and baking powder. Fold the dry ingredients and pecans into the applesauce mixture. Add the vanilla, Calvados, and apple slices; mix until just combined.

4. Transfer the batter to the prepared spring-form pan. Combine the remaining 3 tablespoons butter, 3 tablespoons flour, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, brown sugar, and ginger in a small mixing bowl. Mix with fingers until just combined and crumbly, and sprinkle lightly over the batter.