Mana's Chocolate Applesauce Cake

(Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook for 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.)

Ingredients

   CREAM together  

1/2 cup butter, softened

1-1/2 cups sugar

ADD 2 eggs, 1 at a time, blending

    SIFT TOGETHER 

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 c. baking cocoa

1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Alternate adding dry ingredients with applesauce, beginning and ending with dry.

 2 cups unsweetened applesauce

 Mix together TOPPING:

 1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips

 1/2 cup chopped pecans

 2 tablespoons sugar

Directions

    In a bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine dry ingredients; add to the creamed mixture alternately with applesauce. Pour into a greased and floured 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan. Combine topping ingredients; sprinkle over batter. Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Yield: 16 servings.