To begin, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Grease and flour a 9x13-inch baking pan.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the granulated sugar, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Mix well until all the ingredients are uniformly incorporated.
Break the eggs into a separate bowl and lightly beat them. Add the beaten eggs to the sugar-oil mixture and stir until combined.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, salt, and baking soda. Gradually add this dry mixture to the liquid mixture, mixing well to ensure there are no lumps.
Gently fold in the finely chopped apples and chopped nuts, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Step 2: Baking and Glazing the Cake
Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly.
Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 45-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
While the cake is baking, prepare the caramel glaze. In a small saucepan, melt the butter or margarine over medium heat.
Once the butter has melted, add the brown sugar and milk to the pan. Stir continuously until the mixture comes to a boil.
Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove the glaze from heat and set it aside to cool slightly.
Once the cake is done baking, remove it from the oven and immediately pour the warm caramel glaze over the top. Use a spatula to spread the glaze evenly, ensuring it coats the entire surface of the cake.
Allow the cake and glaze to cool completely before serving.