Fresh Apple Cake with Maple Sauce

• MAKE-AHEAD
• VEGETARIAN

Cake

1. 3 cups all-purpose flour
2. 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
3. 1 teaspoon cinnamon
4. 1/2 teaspoon salt
5. 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
6. 1 stick (4 ounces) unsalted butter, softened
7. 1/2 cup vegetable oil
8. 2 cups sugar
9. 3 large eggs
10. 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
11. 3 large tart apples, such as Granny Smith—peeled, cored and cut into 1-inch pieces

Maple Sauce

1. 1 cup pure maple syrup
2. 1 stick (4 ounces) unsalted butter
3. 1/2 cup heavy cream
4. 1/4 teaspoon salt
5. Vanilla ice cream, for serving

1. MAKE THE MAPLE SAUCE Make the cake: Preheat the oven to 350°. Lightly butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. In a bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg.
2. Using a standing electric mixer fitted with a paddle or a handheld electric mixer, beat the butter, oil and sugar on high speed until thoroughly combined. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the vanilla and beat until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes.
3. Beat in the dry ingredients on medium speed just until blended. Fold in the apples. Spread the batter in the prepared dish and bake for about 50 minutes, or until golden and a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean. If the top browns too quickly, cover loosely with foil during the last 20 minutes. Let the cake cool slightly on a rack.
4. In a saucepan, bring the maple syrup, butter, cream and salt to a boil over moderate heat. Boil rapidly for 1 minute. Let cool slightly. Cut the apple cake into pieces and serve warm with the maple sauce and vanilla ice cream.