This unique, heart-healthy cake recipe, from Chef Dwight Simmons of Kona Jack's Fish Market and Restaurant, was the winner in the dessert competition at the annual "Dining A La Heart" event in Indianapolis.

Nonfat cooking spray
1 medium sweet onion, peeled and sliced into 1-inch strips
8 Granny Smith apples, peeled and sliced into 1/8-inch slices
1/3 cup reduced calorie stick margarine
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
Confectioner's sugar

Batter:
4 egg whites
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
5 ounces skim milk
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Liberally spray 2 baking sheets with nonfat cooking spray. Place onions on one baking sheet and apple slices on the other. Bake onions until caramelized, for about 1 hour. Bake apples for about 4-5 minutes; remove from oven and set aside.

Melt margarine in a 10-inch skillet and add brown sugar. Stir with wooden spoon until dissolved. Remove pan from heat, add caramelized onions and set aside.

In the large bowl of an electric mixer, beat egg whites until foamy and add flour, baking powder, milk and sugar until well incorporated. Spray a 9-inch baking pan with nonfat cooking spray and then line with parchment paper. Layer brown sugar-onion mixture on parchment paper. Place the sliced apples over the onions. Press down to fill gaps between the apples. Cover with batter and bake about 45 minutes or until center tests clean. Remove from oven and cool to room temperature. Reverse the pan onto a serving tray and lightly dust with confectioner's sugar.

Yield: 8 servings

Nutrition Information for 1 Serving:
300 calories
4 grams fat
1 gram saturated fat
0 milligrams cholesterol
210 milligrams sodium