Black Walnut Apple Cake

What to do when you drop the carton of eggs, and three of them crack – you need to think quickly – I remembered making this cake a few months back, and it took 3 eggs. Jim was pleased with the quick action taken on behalf of those eggs.

Pay close attention to dividing of walnuts. Pay close attention to how long glaze must sit in the refrigerator.

You’ll need :

Cake:
2 cups sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups granny smith apples, peeled and diced
2 ½ cups chopped black walnuts (divided)
(Optional:I added 1 Tbsp rum and 1 tsp. cinnamon)

Brown sugar glaze: (see my tip at bottom of recipe)
1 cup brown sugar, packed
½ cup butter
2/3 cup evaporated milk
(Optional: I added 1-2 Tablespoons of rum, after I removed the glaze form the heat, just because)

Directions :
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease desired cake pans(s). In a large bowl, combine sugar, oil, eggs and salt.
Beat at medium speed until well blended. Add baking soda and beat 2 minutes.
Gradually add flour and beat until combined. Stir in vanilla, apples, and one cup walnuts.
Bake at 325 degrees for 45-50 minutes (for two layers) or 50-60 minutes for 9 x 13 or Bundt) I used a 9 x 13 and baked for 55 minutes –
watch and judge your cake (remember I put rum in so I baked for longer due to extra liquid) Cool for 10 minutes then remove from pan.
Let cool one hour as you prepare the glaze.

Tip: Chop one cup of walnuts and put it with the recipe ingredients when you sit everything out ahead of time.

Glaze Tip: I made the glaze while cake was in oven because it must sit in the refrigerator for 1 hour.

For the glaze, combine sugar and butter in small saucepan over medium heat stirring until butter is melted and sugar is dissolved. Stir in evaporated milk and bring to boil, stirring for 2 to 3 minutes or until thicken. Remove from heat (this is when I added the rum) and chill for one hour. Spread brown sugar glaze over cake. Sprinkle and press remaining black walnuts into top and sides of cake.

This was even better the next morning for breakfast. Just put a slice in microwave for 15 seconds.