Mandarin Orange Cake

This Mandarin Orange Cake is one of the many cake recipes I've gotten from my mom over the years. The addition of fruit to any cake makes it incredibly moist and this is no exception. I like this one, because it is incredibly easy to make.

-2 cups sugar
-2 teaspoons vanilla
-2 cups flour
-2 eggs
-2 teaspoons baking soda
-1/2 teaspoon salt
-2 small cans (8-10 ounces) or 1 large 15 ounce can of mandarin oranges, drained
-1 cup pecans, chopped (this is optional and most of the time, mom doesn't add it)

Mix all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl with your blender and pour into a jelly roll pan (it's the same size as your cookie sheet but has 1 to 1 1/2 inch sides.) Bake at 325 degrees for 30-35 minutes. When you can stick a toothpick into the center and it comes out clean, it's done. While it's baking, make the glaze:

-3/4 cup brown sugar
-3 tablespoons butter
-3 tablespoons milk

Put all the ingredients in a kettle and bring to a boil. Pour it over your still hot cake. I also like to garnish this cake with a little whipped cream or sometimes extra mandarin oranges layered on top. Otherwise it does look a little plain and the kids won't try plain cake. Of course, if you don't want to share with the kids.....