Apple Skillet Cake

This has got to be one of the most fatteningly delicious recipes I have made in a long, long time.  I got it off the Pioneer Woman's website.  I actually had to lower the amount of butter for which it called because my arteries couldn't stand reading about using almost 3/4 pound of butter for one cake.  As is it, I doubled the recipe, made two cakes and used an entire pound of butter and it was SOOOOO wonderful.



Apple Skillet Cake(adapted from the pioneer woman)



Topping (which is really the bottom while it bakes)

4 small tart apples, peeled, cored, and cut into six equal slices

1 stick butter

3/4 cup sugar

Cake:

1 stick butter

2/3 cup sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

2 large eggs

1/2 cup sour cream (I used reduced fat to make up for the gluttony of butter)

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 small apple, peeled, cored, and chopped finely



Preheat oven to 375 degrees.



In a 9 to 10-inch cast iron skillet, melt butter over low heat. Add 3/4 cup sugar to the pan and stir around, then place apple slices, wedge side down, in the pan. Don?t pack them too tightly, but try not to leave overly large gaps. Allow this to cook over low heat while you make the cake batter.  It should boil while you are mixing the other stuff, but don't let it burn.



In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat 1 stick of butter and 2/3 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in vanilla and eggs. Add sour cream and mix well. Combine dry ingredients and gradually add flour mixture until just combined. Gently stir in 1 chopped apple.



Remove skillet from heat. Spoon batter over the top, then spread gently so batter is evenly distributed. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until cake is golden brown and bubbly. (Note: Put a pan under the cake to allow for drips.  I had a house filled with smoke because I didn't do this.) Allow cake to sit in skillet for five minutes, then invert onto a serving plate. If some of the topping sticks to the pan, just scoop it out and find a spot for it on the cake, it won't matter if it's not perfect.