Apple Cake w/ Rum Glaze

Apple Cake with Rum Glaze


INGREDIENTS FOR THE RUM GLAZE:

* 1/2 cup butter or margarine
* 1 cup packed brown sugar
* 3 tablespoons (or more) dark rum


INGREDIENTS FOR THE CAKE:

* 2 cups sugar - or splenda
* 1 cup vegetable oil - to make heart healthy, low fat, use 3/4 applesauce instead
* 4 eggs - to make heart healthy, low fat use egg beaters
* 3 cups flour
* 1 teaspoon baking powder
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 teaspoon nutmeg
* 1 teaspoon allspice
* 1 teaspoon cinnamon
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
* 3 cups chopped peeled Golden Delicious apples
* 1 cup chopped pecans


TO PREPARE THE RUM GLAZE:

* Melt the butter in a saucepan. Add the brown sugar and rum. Cook until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is heated through; do not boil.


TO PREPARE THE CAKE AND ASSEMBLE:

* Combine the sugar and oil in a mixer bowl; mix well. Beat in the eggs 1 at a time.
* Mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg, allspice, cinnamon and salt together. Add to the egg mixture gradually, mixing well after each addition.
* Add the vanilla. Fold in the apples and pecans. Spoon into a greased tube pan.
* Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until a cake tester comes out clean. Remove immediately to a cake plate. Pierce with a fork. Brush with the warm glaze.

NOTE: This cake is especially good with vanilla bean ice cream. The glaze will become slightly crunchy.

SERVES: 12