It is possible that you like I have more than a few extra apples rolling around the house right now. This is one of our favorites this time of year. Kristin got this recipe called Caramel Apple Cake recipe originally from our friend Amanda before she moved to Africa. (You can see our LoveFeast style going away party for Amanda and her family here.)
The last time I made this cake was a couple of years ago. Kristin and Devon had rolled in for a long long drive from Maryland to Minnesota. It was around 10:30pm or so. I think if I remember, our 4 kids greeted their 5 kids jumping up and down with leftover sparklers as they came down our street. Our kids greeted and disappeared to the corners of the house. Which no matter how the years pass we always marvel at how they find each other once again…and disappear. We adults always get some nice un-interrupted catching up time because of that.
Kristin and Devon found a place around the island, a round of beers and waters were cracked open. This is my favorite type of entertaining. The kind where everyone is a little more real than normal. The kind best savored with old friends. Our hair messed a bit, make-up warn off from the day, re-acquainting after a long drive and a long time. The kitchen was tidy but not perfect, a pencil and hairband here or there a few scattered dishes in the sink, a cupboard left open… And, warm apple cake on a stand, with right-off-the-stove caramel poured over top. It doesn’t get better than warm apple cake to greet old friends, a little worn from the day and drive. (I have pictures to prove it all – a cherished memory – but left out the pictures of Kristin fresh off the drive and me in the kitchen – were a little more “real” than I wanted to share with the world – ha!)
Caramel Apple Cake
Preheat oven to 350 F.
2 Cups sugar
1 1/2 Cups vegetable oil
2 tsp vanilla
3 eggs
3 Cups flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
2 medium granny smith apples, peeled, finely chopped
1 Cup nuts (I use pecan) chopped
Mix together sugar, vegetable oil, vanilla and eggs in an electric mixer. In a medium bow, mix together flour, salt and baking soda. Add dry ingredients to wet mixture and mix just until blended. Add the apples and nuts and mix just until blended.
Pour cake batter into a greased bundt pan.
Bake cake for 1-1 1/2 hour…until knife comes out clean.
While cake is baking put…
1/2 Cup butter
1/2 Cup brown sugar
2 tsp. milk
In a small saucepan and boil until it becomes a golden caramel.
Pour on warm cake.
Share with old friends or new!
