Apple Surprise

"This is not an original recipe of mine, but it was sent to me through e-mail and I tried it and it is fabulous and yummy so say about a dozen people who have tried it. My sis even called me long distance from Ohio to tell me how WOWED her family was with it." Recipe submitted by Pat.

Recipe Ingredients:

Apple Filling:
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3 large eggs
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla or almond extract
1 cup nuts*
3 cups chopped apples**

Topping:
1/2 cup margarine or butter
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 cup milk
1 (3.5-ounce) can of sweetened flaked coconut

Cooking Directions:

1. For Apple Filling: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 13x9x2-inch baking pan; set aside.
2. Cream eggs, oil and sugar until well blended; set aside.
3. Sift together the flour, salt, baking soda and cinnamon.
4. Combine the egg mixture with the dry ingredients. Stir in vanilla, nuts and apples.
5. Place in prepared pan and bake 45 to 50 minutes.
6. For Topping: Combine topping ingredients in a small saucepan and cook for about 3 minutes and pour over HOT cake. Very good warm topped with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. Enjoy.

Makes 12 servings.

*I used 3 different types of nuts - pecans, Brazil nuts and almonds.
**I used one Granny Smith, one Macintosh and one Rome) It takes about 3 good sized apples.