An Old-Fashioned Apple Spice Cake

Ingredients

• 2 large egg yolks
• 1/2 cup toasted chopped walnuts (optional)
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1/2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 large egg whites
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves (optional)
• 1/2 cup raisins (optional)
• 2 large, meaty apples, cored and grated on the large holes of a box grater
• 2 tablespoons water
• 2 cups spooned and leveled all-purpose flour
• 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter at room temperature