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9.22.2009

Apple Cake {with homemade caramel sauce}

Happy 1st day of Fall!
Too bad it was 102 degrees out today. And, it is supposed to stay in the 100's all week.
I call that a Fall FAIL.
Fall weather doesn't really start in California until October, so I have a couple more weeks of warm weather & then it will be Fall!
Fall is my FAVORITE season. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!

You can read my Top 10 reasons for loving Fall HERE.

Since we get so many APPLES from our tree in the fall, that means I get to doing a lot of baking with our apples. My aunt is the apple pie master, so I don't even attempt to replicate it. I stick to making apple crisps & apple cake. I may even try applesauce this year!
The first time I had this apple cake was about 6 years ago. I found the recipe in one of our church cookbooks. This cake is delicious & one of my favorite things to make in the fall, so I thought would share it here! When it bakes, it fills your house with an aroma of fall, so even if it is 100 degrees outside, it smells like fall inside!
I think I mostly like this cake because you make a homemade caramel sauce to go with it. Who can resist a good caramel sauce?
Apple Cake with Homemade Caramel Sauce

Here is what you need for the cake:
1/2 cup pecans
1 stick of butter (at room temperature)
1 cup sugar
2 eggs (at room temperature)
1 cup flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. ground nutmeg
3 apples (peeled, cored & chopped)
Whipped cream for garnish

First, peel the apples:
Chop & Dice the apples:
In a food processor/blender, finely grind the pecans.
In a large bowl, cream the butter & sugar until fluffy.
Add the eggs and beat until well blended.
In a medium bowl, stir the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon & nutmeg together.
Stir the dry mixture into the wet mixture just until blended.
Fold the apples & nuts until blended.
Pour into a 9 inch greased round cake pan.
Bake at 350 for 50 minutes (or until center is cooked through).
Let cool for 15 minutes in pan, but place pan on a cookie sheet.
Carefully remove cake from pan to a plate (or cake stand)
While the cake is baking, you can make the Homemade Caramel Sauce!
Here is what you need for the Caramel Sauce:
1 stick of butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup evaporated milk

In a small saucepan, melt the butter and brown sugar together over medium heat while stirring. Bring to a boil, whisking constantly.
Remove from heat and whisk in the vanilla & evaporated milk. Set aside & keep warm.
(If making ahead, the caramel sauce will keep refrigerated in an airtight container for 3 days)

To serve, ladle a large spoonful of the hot caramel sauce onto a dessert plate.
Place a wedge of cake onto the sauce and add a dollop of whipped cream.
(I make my own whipped cream, but you can use store bought if you prefer!)
Then, garnish with a few thin fresh apple slices & serve!
(I dip the apple slices in the leftover caramel sauce on my plate, yum!)

11 comments:

  1. Yum, Yum, YUM!!! I am putting this on my list of "Soon to bakes!".

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  2. if I can get to the store for apples, evaporated milk and whipping cream maybe I'll make for Bible study tomorrow night. if not, microwave popcorn it is!

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  3. You made my mouth water....I must try this!!!!

    Fall is my favorite season also....stupid Arizona doesnt feel the need to have Fall so I am super bummed out this year. Ill have to make the 4 hour drive to North AZ just to see it.

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  4. I am loving these apple recipes and your looks delish!! I can't wait to try it!!

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  5. delicious! Nice presentation on that slice too :)

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  6. I wanted to let you know that I've made this recipe twice now (and doubled it each time) to give this apple cake in loaves to our families along with pictures of Mason from Apple Hill... and everyone has RAVED about it. Thank you!

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  7. great job! this looks delicious!

    www.turtleexpressions.blogspot.com

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  8. Looks GRATE, there are just so many things i want to try from I hart Faces. And this is defently one. Yeh, i think i am going to gain anyhting i may have lsot back...

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