Apple Walnut Spice Cake

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 cup flour
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp ground allspice
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups peeled and chopped Granny Smith apples (about 2 apples)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

For the caramel sauce:

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup whipping cream
1 Tbsp pure vanilla extract

1. Set oven to 350°F.

2. Beat butter and brown sugar for 5 minutes in a mixing bowl. Beat in eggs and vanilla just until blended. Set aside.

3. Mix flour, pumpkin pie spice, allspice and salt. Gradually add to sugar mixture; beating until well blended. Stir in apples, nuts, and raisins, if desired.

4. Pour into one greased 9-inch cake pan; bake 35-40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack 10 minutes. Serve warm with caramel sauce.

For the caramel sauce:

1. Combine butter and whipping cream with brown sugar. Bring to boil over medium heat. Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes or until slightly thickened. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Serve warm.

Notes: No pumpkin pie spice?
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ginger
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp cloves

This recipe calls for a tablespoon of pumpkin pie spice. So in a small bowl, triple this little recipe. THEN measure out a tablespoon. You will be sure that the portions are even and then the spice will better incorporate into the batter.

Recipe courtesy of http://www.rookie-cookie.com/