Fresh Apple Cake with Caramel Sauce

Fresh Apple Cake with Caramel Sauce

1/2 cup butter, softened

3/4 cup sugar

1 egg

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg

1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

2 cups chopped peeled baking apples

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Caramel Sauce:

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

2 tbsp. cornstarch

1/2 cup light corn syrup

1/4 cup half and half cream or evaporated milk

1/4 cup butter

1/4 tsp. salt

1 egg, beaten

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Beat in the egg. Combine the flour, baking soda, nutmeg and cinnamon; add to creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in apples and walnuts. Transfer to a greased 8 inch square baking dish.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.

Meanwhile, for caramel sauce, blend brown sugar and cornstarch in a saucepan. Add remaining ingredients; cook and stir until thickened, about 3 minutes. Serve cake warm or cold with warm caramel sauce. Yield: 9 servings.