YESTERDAY’S APPLE CAKE

16 red delicious apples

2 1/2 cups chopped walnuts

4 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 pounds butter, at room temperature

4 cups sugar

5 cups flour

5 teaspoons baking soda

5 teaspoons cinnamon

3 teaspoons nutmeg

1 teaspoons salt

9 eggs

Core and quarter apples. Do not peel them. Process apples in food processor until chopped fine. In a bowl, add chopped apples to the walnuts and vanilla and mix together, put aside.

Whip butter and sugar together (in a mixer with a paddle) until soft and light, about 2-3 minutes.

In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt and spices and mix together well.

In a third bowl, whisk eggs until they are frothy. Add the eggs to the butter-sugar; mix on low speed until smooth. Add apple mixture and flour mixture; mix on low speed until smooth.

Spread batter evenly on greased 25-inch by 17 1/2-inch sheet pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 22 minutes. Rotate pan at that time, and bake 23 minutes more. Chill cake before cutting.

Warm cake in microwave for 30 seconds before serving, topped with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce.

Makes 24 pieces.