FRESH APPLE CAKE

The calendar says it is Fall but the weather has a different idea. Still battling hurricanes down here on the Gulf Coast and Fall seems far away yet.  But apples are now showing up in the grocery stores and time to make apple things.  Made this for Sunday Dinner and even though the temperature said 90 plus degrees with high humidity, just for a minute we could dream of cooler temperatures soon.

FRESH APPLE CAKE

CAKE:

1 cup vegetable oil

2 cups granulated sugar

3 eggs

3 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon cinnamon or apple pie spice

3 cups chopped apples

1 cup chopped pecans (optional)

FROSTING:

1 stick butter

1 cup brown sugar, packed

1/4 cup cream or milk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray 9 x 13 pan with Bakers Joy.  Combine oil, sugar, and eggs.  Mix well.  Stir in flour and baking soda. Add vanilla and apples and pecans if using.  Spread in prepared pan.  Bake for 50 minutes or till done.  Cool for 2 hours then prepare frosting.

For the frosting:

Place all ingredients in small saucepan.  Bring to a boil.  Boil for 2 minutes.  Set pan in a bowl filled with ice water.  Beat icing until spreading consistency.  Spread over top of cake.  Sprinkle chopped pecans if desired.