Caramel Apple Pecan Roll

 This recipe screams fall.   You can leave the nuts out and it will still be delicious.   

CARAMEL APPLE PECAN ROLL

(serves 10)

Cake Ingredients:

*5 large eggs

*1 egg yolk

*3/4 cup granulated sugar

*1 teaspoon vanilla extract

*1 1/8 cup all-purpose flour

*1/4 teaspoon salt

*1 teaspoon baking powder

*1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

*1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

*1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

*1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

Filling Ingredients:

*4 granny smith apples, grated

*1/4 stick butter

*1/8 cup light brown sugar, not packed

*1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

*2 tablespoons butter, softened

*8 ounces cream cheese, softened

*1 cup powdered sugar

*1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

*1 teaspoon vanilla extract

*1 tablespoon caramel sauce

*1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

*caramel sauce for drizzling 

Cake Directions:

~Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

~Line a 10x15 jelly roll pan with parchment paper or wax paper and spray with cooking spray.

~In a large mixing bowl, whisk 5 large eggs, 1 egg yolk and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract for about 2 minutes.

~In another bowl, sift 1 1/8 cup flour, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoons ginger, 1/8 teaspoons ground cloves, and baking powder together. 

~Mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients until smooth.

~Pour batter into prepared pan.

~Bake for 15 minutes. 

~Remove from oven and allow to cool for 5-8 minutes (cool enough to handle.

~Dust a tea towel with powdered sugar.

~Gently flip cake onto dusted tea towel.

~Roll up the cake by rolling towel inside cake.

~Place on a cooling rack seam side down, and allow to cool completely.

Filling Directions:

~Peel and grate 4 apples.

~In a medium saucepan, melt 1/4 stick (1/8 cup) butter.

~Add grated apples, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and 1 teaspoon brown sugar.

~Sauté for about 4 or 5 minutes or until apples are tender.

~Place into a strainer to remove any excess liquid (I leave it there for about 5-10 minutes.

~In a mixing bowl, mix 2 tablespoons butter, 8 ounces cream cheese, 1 cup powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1 tablespoon caramel sauce   together until smooth.

~Unroll cake.

~Spread filling evenly over cake, leaving a 1/2-inch space around edges.

~Spread apples evenly over cream cheese.

~Sprinkle 1 cup chopped walnut or pecans over apples.

~Drizzle caramel sauce over mixture.

~Roll up again without the tea towel.

~Wrap tightly with plastic wrap.

~Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

~Unwrap, slice and serve.