Recipe: Apple Cake with Hot Caramel Sauce (with pecans, 9-inch, single-layer)

APPLE CAKE WITH HOT CARAMEL SAUCE
"A trip north on Highway 101 leads to the orchards of Sonoma County. Bring home fresh apples for this wonderful dessert. Cakes with warm sauces have made a comeback on restaurant menus, and your family and friends will be delighted to be served this old-fashioned dessert at home."


1/2 cup pecans
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter at room temperature
1 cup sugar
2 eggs at room temperature
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
3 McIntosh, Gravenstein, or Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and finely chopped, plus 16 apple slices for garnish
Hot Caramel Sauce (for serving, recipe follows)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9-inch round cake pan.

In a blender or food processor, grind the pecans until fine; set aside.

In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until fluffy. Add the eggs and beat until well blended.

In a medium bowl, stir the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg together. Stir the dry mixture into the wet mixture just until blended. Fold the apples and nuts in until blended. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.

Bake for 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes, then remove from the pan. The center may sink a bit.

To serve, cut the cake into 8 wedges. Ladle a large spoonful of the hot caramel sauce onto each of 8 dessert plates. Place a wedge of cake on top of the sauce. Garnish with a spoonful of whipped cream and 2 apple slices.

HOT CARAMEL SAUCE

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup evaporated milk

In a small saucepan, melt the butter with the brown sugar and salt over medium heat. Bring to a boil, whisking constantly. Remove from heat and whisk in the vanilla and milk. Set aside and keep warm. To make ahead, let cool and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat over barely simmering water.

CHEF'S TIP:
Darcy Tizio, Farallon Restaurant: Use red Jonathan apples for baking, Granny Smiths or pippins for pies and tarts, and Pink Ladies for sorbets and granitas.

Makes 8 servings
Source: San Francisco Flavors by the Junior League of San Francisco