Chocolate Applesauce Cake

6 tablespoons butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup applesauce, unsweetened
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 eggs
4 1 ounce squares unsweetened baking chocolate, melted
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
pinch salt
1/3 cup buttermilk
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
sifted powdered sugar

In a large bowl, beat together the butter and sugar with an electric mixer on high speed 1 to 2 minutes or until fluffy.

Beat in the applesauce, cinnamon, vanilla and eggs until well mixed.

Beat in the melted chocolate until blended. Add the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. With the mixer on low speed, beat in the dry ingredients, adding the buttermilk as you beat. Beat just until evenly mixed.

By hand, stir in the chocolate chips and walnuts. Scrape the batter into a buttered 3 1/2 quart electric slow cooker and smooth the top.

Cover and cook on the high heat setting 2 1/4 to 2 1/2 hours or until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Do not cook on the low heat for a longer time.