Apple Pecan Cake with Caramel Sauce

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 cups peeled, diced apples (about 3 medium apples)
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1 cup granulated sugar (for caramel sauce)
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces (for caramel sauce)
• ½ cup heavy cream (for caramel sauce)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for caramel sauce)
• Pinch of salt (for caramel sauce)

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
4. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
6. Fold in the diced apples and chopped pecans until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
7. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
9. While the cake is baking, prepare the caramel sauce by combining the granulated sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly until the sugar melts and turns a golden amber color.
10. Once the sugar is melted, carefully add the butter and stir until melted. Slowly pour in the heavy cream while continuing to stir until smooth. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt.
11. After the cake is done baking, allow it to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
12. Once cooled, drizzle the homemade caramel sauce generously over the cake before serving.