Apple Cake With Hot Caramel Sauce

Preparation

1. Step 1

   To make the cake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the pecans in the workbowl of a food processor and process until fine. Set aside. Peel, core and quarter the apples and place them in the workbowl of the processor and process until they are in medium-coarse shards, about the size of almonds. Set aside.

2. Step 2

   Place the butter in a large mixer bowl, add the sugar and beat until fluffy. Add the egg and beat until blended. Add the soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and mix quickly. Add the flour and just blend, then the apples and nuts.

3. Step 3

   Pour the mixture into a greased 9-inch-round cake pan and bake for 30 minutes or until the top springs back when touched with a finger. Cool slightly. Center may sink somewhat.

4. Step 4

   For the caramel sauce, melt the butter, brown sugar and salt in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, stirring with a whisk. Remove from the heat and add the vanilla and milk. Stir again with the whisk.

5. Step 5

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