This is just the thing for those chilly autumn days and abundance of apples on your counter. The caramel sauce and baked apple slices may be eye-catching, but don't underestimate the warm, cozy flavors of that airy cake spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg. Be prepared for the smells of fall to take over your kitchen – the kids will be clamoring for a slice before it's even out of the oven!

To make the caramel and apples

1. Preheat the oven to 350F and grease an 8-inch round cake pan with cooking spray. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt brown sugar, butter, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt. Cook until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes.
2. Pour caramel sauce into prepared cake pan and layer apple slices on top.

To make the cake

1. In another large bowl, using a hand mixer, beat together butter and sugars until softened. Add eggs one at a time, then add vanilla. Add half of the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, beating until just combined. Pour in milk and mix until fully incorporated. Add remaining dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
2. Pour batter over the apples and bake until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean, 1 hour. Let cool in pan for at least 15 minutes, then invert onto a cooling rack and let cool completely before slicing.

Nellie's Notes

If you're worried about overflowing, use a 9- or 10-inch round pan on top of a cookie tray or sheet of aluminum foil.