Spiced Apple Cake - Lettuce Entertain You

Ingredients

• 1 lb. honeycrisp apples (approximately 2-3 apples)
• 2 ⅓ cups light brown sugar
• ½ Tbsp. vanilla paste
• 1 star anise
• 1 whole clove
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp. salt
• ¼ cup dark rum (or to taste)
• ½ cup water
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup pecan pieces
• Salt, to taste
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ tsp. baking powder
• ⅛ tsp. baking soda
• ½ tsp. kosher salt
• 1 tsp. apple pie spice
• ¾ cup vegetable oil
• 1 ¾ cups brown sugar
• ⅔ cup unsweetened applesauce
• 3 eggs
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 ¼ cup sour cream
• 2 cups store bought whipped cream