Make caramel sauce (can be made weeks ahead):Grease the sides of a medium saucepan with non-stick spray. Add butter, brown sugar, water, and salt and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until the butter has melted. Bring the mixture to a boil., stirring constantly. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 8 minutes, stirring, until golden brown and thickened (keep in mind it will continue to thicken as it cools). Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and evaporated milk.
6 Tablespoons unsalted butter, 3/4 cup light brown sugar, 1 Tablespoon water, pinch salt, 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 1/4 cup evaporated milk or heavy cream
Prep cake: Grease and flour a 10-inch bundt pan. Set aside. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Toss the diced apples with lemon juice (keeps them from browning) then set aside.
3 cups diced apples, 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
Dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.
Wet ingredients: In another large mixing bowl mix oil and granulated and brown sugars. Mix in applesauce and vanilla. Add the egg then mix.
3/4 cup oil, 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, 1/2 cup light brown sugar, 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce, 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 1 large egg
Combine: Stir in the dry ingredients, just until incorporated, then stir in the diced apples. Don't over-mix. The batter will be thick.
Bake: Pour into prepared bundt pan and bake in preheated oven for 50-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the cake comes out clean. Remove from oven then cool for 5-10 minutes before inverting onto a wire rack.
Serve slices drizzled with caramel sauce on top.
Video
Notes
Apples: Any kind of apples will work. I like to use one sweet and one tart. Dice them really small. I usually leave skins on.Freezing Instructions:Let cake cool completely then wrap in a layer of plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freezer for up to 3 months. Optional Cream Cheese Layer:
8 ounces cream cheese , room temperature
1/3 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg
In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese just until smooth. Add the 1/3 cup sugar, vanilla and egg and blend until smooth. Set aside (or refrigerate for a few days ahead of time). Pour half of the cake batter evenly into the prepared bundt pan. Spoon the cream cheese mixture in a line along the center of the batter (being careful not to let it touch the sides of the pan). Spoon the remaining batter on top and bake as instructed in recipe.