Apple spice snack cake

Apple spice snack cake
Preparation time : 15 minutes, Cooking time : 35 minutes, Perfect partner : cinnamon tea, Serves : 9

Shopping list :

• Whipping cream
• Apples
• Pecans

On hand

• Butter
• Sugar
• Flour
• Egg
• Baking soda
• Cinnamon
• Salt
• Brown sugar

Roadside farm stands are a great place to find bargains when buying apples in bulk. Since these apples are the freshest, they tend to last longer. Avoid those that have bruises or punctures.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 2 cups chopped peeled apples
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

Caramel sauce

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup butter or margarine
• 1/2 cup whipping cream

Make ahead
Bake and cool the cake, then freeze for up to 1 month. The sauce may be prepared and refigerated up to 3 days ahead. Serve the sauce warm over the thawed cake.

Variation
For a deligbtfully crunchy texture, add a 1/2 cup flaked coconut in step 2.

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9-inch square baking pan. Cream butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Beat in egg. Add apples, mix well.
2. Mix flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in a small bowl. Add to apple mixture, mix well. Fold in pecans.
3.  Pour batter into prepared baking pan. Bake for 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cut into squares.
4. While cake is baking, prepare caramel sauce. Combine sugar, brown sugar, butter and whipping cream in a saucepan over medium heat. Boil, stirring continually, for 2 minutes. Serve sauce over cake.