Apple Caramel Cake

Another gorgeous fall day, the perfect kind of day for baking. Last weekend we picked some apples, lots of apples at Lakeside Orchards, and now it's time to get busy! I wanted to do something a little different you know, not another apple pie or apple crisp.
This is a very rich "southern style" cake from Savannah GA. that just happens to taste just like a caramel apple. Of course, I had to healthy-it-up a bit (you know how I am) by using less oil & sugar, and adding whole wheat pastry flour. Oh yeah, and heart healthy walnuts!
*You may want to add a scoop of vanilla ice cream...

So, preheat your oven to 350 and get started, you're going to LOVE this cake!!!




Cake

2 cups sugar (or 1 cup substitute)
3 eggs
1 cup canola oil
1/2 cup apple sauce
1 tbs of vanilla
1 1/2 cups white wheat flour
1 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour (find it at a health food store)
1 tsp. cinnamon
pinch of nutmeg
pinch of salt
1 cup chopped walnuts (toasted)
3 cups diced apples
1 cup raisins (optional)

Topping

3/4 cup butter (sub. Smart Balance)
2 cups brown suger (sub. splenda)
1/4 cup milk or fat-free cream
1 cup walnuts (toasted)

Directions:

1. Lightly spray and flour a bundt pan or 13 X 9 baking pan.
2. Cream together sugar, eggs, oil and vanilla.
3. Add flour, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.
4. Stir in apples and walnuts.
5. Spread batter into pan, and bake for 45-60 min. (check with a toothpick)
6. When the cake is done, make several holes in it with a knife (for topping)

Topping: Heat the butter sugar and milk over medium heat. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly for 2 min. Pour over warm cake and ENJOY!!!