Apple Butter Spice Cake

"Apple butter, butter and sour cream provide unsurpassed moistness in this flavorful cake enhanced with nut and spice. No need for frosting here!"

1 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup chopped pecans
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
3/4 cup apple butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup whole bran cereal or wheat germ
1 cup sour cream
2 eggs, beaten

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C. Spray or grease one 9x13 inch pan.

Prepare the topping by mixing together the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and chopped pecans.

Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

Blend together butter and sugar; add eggs and beat well. Add apple butter, vanilla, wheat germ or bran cereal. Add sifted dry ingredients alternately with sour cream; mix well after each addition.

Pour 1/2 batter into pan, sprinkle 1/2 the topping over top. Pour remaining batter and top with remaining topping.

Bake for 40 minutes.