Apple Dapple Cake: A Symphony of Flavors!

Ingredients:

• Shortening and flour for a 9X13 pan
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 3 whole eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 4 large Granny Smith apples (about 1 3/4 pounds)
• 1 cup walnuts or pecans, coarsely chopped

Glaze:

• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 3 tablespoons heavy cream
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan.
2. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Position the rack in the upper third of the oven.
3. Sift flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a medium bowl, then sift a second time.
4. In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, mix vegetable oil with both sugars until well combined.
5. With the mixer running, add one egg at a time. Once mixed, add vanilla and continue mixing, scraping the bowl as needed.
6. Slowly add the dry ingredients with the mixer running on low. Scrape the bowl again and mix until well combined.
7. Peel, core, and cut the apples into bite-sized pieces, then fold them into the batter.
8. Fold the chopped walnuts into the batter and spread it evenly into the prepared pan.
9. Bake in the top third of the oven for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
10. As soon as the cake comes out of the oven, combine all glaze ingredients in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring continuously for one minute.
11. Remove from heat and pour the glaze over the top of the warm cake.
12. Allow the cake to cool or serve it warm by cutting into 12 pieces (3 rows X 4 rows).