Apple Walnut Spice Cake with Caramel Sauce

Okay, I am over pumpkin now. I'll bet you thought that would never happen! What is the next fall food? Apples.



1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 cup flour
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp ground allspice
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups peeled and chopped Granny Smith apples (about 2 apples)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Set oven to 350°F. Spray a 9 inch round cake pan with non-stick spray and set aside.

Beat butter and brown sugar for 5 minutes in a mixing bowl. Beat in eggs and vanilla just until blended. Set aside.

Mix flour, pumpkin pie spice, allspice and salt. Gradually add to sugar mixture; beating until well blended. Stir in apples, nuts, and raisins, if desired.

Pour into prepared pan and bake 35-40 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Cool on wire rack 10 minutes. Serve warm with caramel sauce.

For the caramel sauce:
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1 Tbsp pure vanilla extract

Combine butter and whipping cream with brown sugar. Bring to boil over medium heat. Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes or until slightly thickened. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Serve warm.

Rookie's Notes: No pumpkin pie spice?
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ginger
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp cloves

This recipe calls for a tablespoon of pumpkin pie spice. So in a small bowl, triple this little recipe. THEN measure out a tablespoon. You will be sure that the portions are even and then the spice will better incorporate into the batter.