Step 1

Grease and flour a tube pan.

Step 2

Preheat oven to 350°.

Step 3

In a large mixing bowl, stir together sugar, self-rising flour and cinnamon until combined.

Step 4

Stir in beaten eggs, cooking oil and vanilla.

Step 5

Stir in diced apples (and optional nuts) until just combined.

Step 6

(Batter will be very thick, maybe even crumbly.)

Step 7

Spoon batter into prepared pan.

Step 8

Bake for 50 - 60 minutes. (Check with cake tester at the 50 minute mark.)

Step 9

Remove from oven and let cool on a rack 20-30 minutes until warm.

Step 10

Loosen all edges including around the center tube with a sharp knife before turning out onto a cake platter.

Step 11

In a medium-sized sauce pan stir together 1/4 cup cold water and granulated sugar until combined.

Step 12

Set over medium-high heat on the stove top and cook 9 -11 minutes without stirring until mixture is a deep amber color.

Step 13

Start checking closely at the 8 minute mark.

Step 14

Meanwhile, warm heavy cream and butter together with sea salt in a small sauce pan over medium heat. (Absolutely do not boil.)

Step 15

When sugar and water mixture is a deep amber color, slowly whisk in the warm cream and butter mixture.

Step 16

Whisk over the heat until it's smooth a minute or two, then remove from the heat.

Step 17

Salted caramel sauce will thicken up as it cools.

Step 18

When sauce is still warm, spoon over apple cake and cascade down the sides.

Step 19

(Re-heating the caramel sauce will thin it.)