Caramel Apple Coffee Cake

3 eggs
2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
3 cups chopped peeled apples
1 cup coarsely chopped pecans

Topping

1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup milk
1 cup packed brown sugar
Dash salt

In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs until foamy; gradually add sugar. Blend in oil and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; add to egg mixture. Stir in apples and pecans. Pour into a greased 10-inch tube pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 1/4 hours or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before inverting onto a serving plate.

In a small saucepan, combine topping ingredients. Bring to a boil; boil for 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Slowly pour over warm cake (some topping will run down onto the plate).

Yield: 12-16 servings