Triple Apple Snack Cake

I call any cake that I don't have to frost a snack cake. These cakes are my go to dessert when I am super busy. This cake gets its apple yumminess from granny smith apples, applesauce, and apple cider.
It's perfect for a weekend picnic or a school lunch.

Serves 12
1 1/2 sticks of butter softened
2 3/4 cups flour
2 3/4 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 3/4 cups brown sugar packed and divided
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
2 large granny smith apples, peeled, sliced and cored
2 1/2 cups apple cider
3 large eggs
1 1/4 cups unsweetened applesauce
juice of half a lemon

Preheat the oven to 325. Spray a 9x13 inch baking pan with baking spray. In a large bowl with mix together the flour and baking powder, set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer beat the butter and 1 1/2 cups of brown sugar until fluffy. Add the eggs and the vanilla and continue to whip. Lower the speed and add the cinnamon. Add half the flour mixture, followed by the applesauce, finishing with the last of the flour. Continue to mix until the last of the flour is just combined. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly with a spatula. Layer the apple slices on the top in 4 rows. Bake in the oven for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Meanwhile place the apple cider, the remaining 1/4 cup of brown sugar and the lemon juice in a small sauce pan. Bring it to a boil over medium/high heat. Reduce the liquid to about 1/3 of a cup. When the cake is baked, remove it from the oven and pour the reduced cider over the top of the warm cake. Serve