Caramel-Glazed Apple Cake

Ruth Anthony

This recipe is from "Easy Cooking the Costco Way."

Cake:
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
3 eggs
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. cinnamon (I double the cinnamon and nutmeg)
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. salt
5 Washington Granny Smith or Golden Delicious apples, cored, peeled and cut in 1/2-inch pieces
1 1/4 cups chopped pecans or walnuts
2 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract

Caramel Glaze:
4 Tbsp. butter
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup light brown sugar
Pinch of salt
1/2 cup heavy cream

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Butter and flour 9 x 13 inch pan. To prepare the cake, beat both sugars and oil in a mixing bowl until very well blended. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Sift together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt; gradually add to egg mixture, mixing just until blended. Stir in apples, pecans and vanilla; pour into pan. Bake for 50 to 75 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool in the pan while preparing the glaze.

To prepare the glaze, melt butter in a saucepan over low heat. Stir in both sugars and salt; cook over medium-low heat for 2 minutes. Add cream and boil for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.

Poke holes in the cake with a skewer or toothpick. Pour on the glaze. Serve warm or at room temperature. Top with whipped cream or ice cream if desired. Makes 12 servings.