Need a cake special enough for guests but still easy? This cake fits the bill. It is spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg and nuts if desired. Serve it with a warm vanilla sauce.
Cake:
2 c. sugar
1/2 c. softened butter
2 eggs
4 large apples, cored and grated
2 c. all-purpose flour
1 t. soda
1/2 t. salt
2 t. cinnamon
1 t. nutmeg
1 c. chopped nuts
Sauce:
1 c. water
1/2 c. sugar
1 T. cornstarch
2 T. butter
2 t. vanilla extract
pinch salt
Cake:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 x 13 inch baking dish.
Cream together sugar and butter. Add eggs one at time; add grated apples. Sift together flour, soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Add in half of flour mixture stir until incorporated; add second half until just mixed. Avoid over-mixing.
Pour into the baking dish. Bake 40 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
Sauce: (makes 3/4 cup)
Bring water to a boil in a small saucepan. Combine sugar and cornstarch; blend well. Add sugar and cornstarch mixture to boiling water; reduce heat to medium, stirring constantly; cook until thickened. Remove from heat; add butter, vanilla, and salt, stirring until butter is melted.
Spoon over dessert while still warm and serve.