SERVES 8
We like the slight coarseness that cornmeal adds to the cake, but it’s fine to omit it. Golden Delicious apples can be substituted for the Granny Smiths. You will need a 9-inch nonstick cake pan with sides that are at least 2 inches high; anything shallower and the cake will overflow. Alternatively, a 10-inch ovensafe stainless steel skillet (don’t use cast iron) can be used to both cook the apples and bake the cake, with the following modifications: Cook the apples in the skillet and set them aside while mixing the batter (it’s OK if the skillet is still warm when the batter is added) and increase the baking time by 7 to 9 minutes. If you don’t have either a 2-inch-high cake pan or an ovensafe skillet, use an 8-inch square pan.
TOPPING |
|
4 |
tablespoons (½ stick) unsalted butter, cut into 4 pieces, plus extra for the pan |
4 |
Granny Smith apples (about 2 pounds), peeled and cored (see note) |
⅔ |
cup packed (4⅔ ounces) light brown sugar |
2 |
teaspoons juice from 1 lemon |
CAKE |
|
1 |
cup (5 ounces) unbleached all-purpose flour |
1 |
tablespoon cornmeal (optional; see note) |
1 |
teaspoon baking powder |
½ |
teaspoon table salt |
¾ |
cup (5¼ ounces) granulated sugar |
¼ |
cup packed (1¾ ounces) light brown sugar |
2 |
large eggs, at room temperature |
6 |
tablespoons (¾ stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly |
½ |
cup sour cream |
1 |
teaspoon vanilla extract |
1. FOR THE TOPPING: Butter the bottom and sides of a nonstick 9-inch-wide by 2-inch-high round cake pan; set aside. Adjust an oven rack to the lowest position and heat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Halve the apples from pole to pole. Cut 2 apples into ¼-inch-thick slices; set aside. Cut the remaining 2 apples into ½-inch-thick slices. Melt the butter in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ½-inch-thick apple slices and cook, stirring two or three times, until the apples begin to caramelize, 4 to 6 minutes. (Do not fully cook the apples.) Add the ¼-inch-thick apple slices, brown sugar, and lemon juice; continue cooking, stirring constantly, until the sugar dissolves and the apples are coated, about 1 minute longer. Transfer the apple mixture to the prepared pan and lightly press into an even layer. Set aside while preparing the cake.
3. FOR THE CAKE: Whisk the flour, cornmeal (if using), baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl; set aside. Whisk the sugars and eggs together in a large bowl until thick and homogeneous, about 45 seconds. Slowly whisk in the butter until combined. Add the sour cream and vanilla; whisk until combined. Add the flour mixture and whisk until just combined. Pour the batter into the pan and spread evenly over the fruit. Lightly tap the pan against the countertop two or three times to settle the batter. Bake until the cake is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through the baking time.
4. Cool the pan on a wire rack for 20 minutes. Run a small knife around the sides of the cake to loosen. Place a wire rack over the cake pan. Holding the rack tightly, invert the cake pan and wire rack together; lift off the cake pan. Place the wire rack over a baking sheet or large plate to catch any drips. If any fruit sticks to the pan bottom, remove and position it on top of the cake. Cool the cake for 20 minutes (or longer to cool it completely), then transfer it to a serving platter, cut into pieces, and serve.