APPLE UPSIDE DOWN CAKE

Serves 16

3 cups dried apple slices
1 cup sugar
1 3/4 cups hot water
2 eggs
3 Tbsp. butter or margarine
1 cup milk
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. lemon juice
2 cups flour
3/4 tsp. cinnamon, ground
2 1/4 tsp. baking powder
1 cup pecans, chopped
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1 tsp. salt
Whipped cream, if desired

Combine apples and hot water. Set aside. Sift together salt, baking powder and flour. Set aside.

Combine soaked apples and remaining juice, 1 1/4 cup sugar, 3 Tbsp. butter, lemon juice and cinnamon in a sauce pan and simmer just until tender and moist. Pour into well-greased 9"x13" pan. Sprinkle with pecans.

Cream together 1/2 cup butter and 1 cup sugar; blend in eggs, beat well.  Combine milk and vanilla, add alternately with dry ingredients to creamed mixture, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Spread over apple mixture in pan.

Bake at 350' F. for 30 - 40 minutes or until done. Remove from oven.  Turn cake upside down over large serving plate. Let stand a few minutes, then remove pan. Serve warm with whipped cream, if desired.