Christmas Eve Spiced Apple Rum Cake

APPLE SPICE CAKE INGREDIENTS
INGREDIENTS
1 cup sultanas or dried fruit
1/4 cup rum
Soak fruit in rum overnight before making recipe

1 1/3 cups vegetable oil
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups sugar
3 large eggs
3 to 4 Granny Smith apples, cored and cut into 1/2-inch pieces (3 cups)
1 cup chopped assorted nuts, such as pecans and walnuts (optional)
1 tablespoon finely grated fresh ginger
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

APPLE SPICE CAKE DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350F/175C degrees. Spray a 12-cup Bundt pan with cooking spray; set aside.
Working over a large sheet of parchment paper, sift together flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt; gather sifted ingredients into center of sheet; set aside.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine vegetable oil, sugar, and eggs; mix on high speed until lemon yellow.
Fold reserved parchment in half lengthwise; with mixer on medium speed, gradually shake in dry ingredients until just incorporated.
Add dried fruit, apples and, if desired, nuts and grated ginger, to batter; mix to combine. Add vanilla, mixing until incorporated.
Pour batter into prepared pan, and bake until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean, 75 to 90 minutes.
Remove from oven, and cool slightly on a wire rack.

CARAMEL SAUCE INGREDIENTS
1 cup light-brown sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
1/4 cup evaporated milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Pinch of salt

CARAMEL SAUCE DIRECTIONS
Combine ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring, until thickened to desired consistency.

SUGAR GLAZE INGREDIENTS (fast and easy!)
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1 to 2 tablespoons water

SUGAR GLAZE DIRECTIONS
Make the Glaze: Whisk together confectioners' sugar and enough water to form a thick yet pourable glaze. Set rack with cake over a piece of wax paper (for easy cleanup); drizzle cake with glaze, and let set before serving

End of the year goodbyes

I went to the closing assembly at school today, was literally stunned at the number of kids leaving this year. The ones sitting on the floor are the ones that are staying, they went up with their friends. The ones standing are all leaving.

I don't know if I went to this assembly last year. I don't know if the number was smaller last year. I don't know if I wasn't as affected last year because I was newly arrived. I do know that I am amazed at how impermanent life is in an international school.