Summertime is my favorite time of the year. It means Fair time and the opportunity to explore a variety of food entries, as well as sampling those favorite foods we all love but shouldn’t have! I had the experience of walking the exhibit halls at our County Fair last week. As in past years, it was full of traditional and new baked items. This is one of my favorite finds this year - definitely a Grand Champion!

Country Apple Cake with Caramel Sauce
Recipe by Beverly Healy
Prep time: 15 minutes | Ready in 1 hour 40 minutes

Cake:
2 tablespoons oil
1 egg
1 pkg. Nut or Cranberry Quick Bread Mix
3 cups apple pie filling
2 tablespoons cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg
½ cup chopped walnuts

Sauce and Topping:
½ cup sugar
½ cup firmly packed brown sugar
½ cup butter or margarine
½ cup whipping cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
Vanilla Ice Cream or whipped cream for topping, if desired    

Directions:
1) Heat oven to 325°F; Grease 13X9-inch pan. In large bowl, combine oil and egg; beat well. Add quick bread mix, apple pie filling, cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir 50 – 75 strokes until mix is moistened. Stir in walnuts. Spoon into pan and spread evenly.
2) Bake at 325°F for 45-55 min or until is golden brown. Cool 30 minutes.
3) In medium saucepan, combine sugar, brown sugar, butter and whipping cream and mix well. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla.
4) To serve, cut warm cake pieces into squares. Place individual squares on plate and top each serving  with warm sauce and ice cream.

Makes 12 servings