Caramel Apple Cake

Ingredients

1 1/3 cups firmly packed light brown sugar

3/4 cup butter, softened

3 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon table salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 cup buttermilk

APPLES

6 apples

1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

1 teaspoon cornstarch

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Pinch of table salt

2 tablespoons butter

Method of Preparation

Preheat oven to 350°. Beat first 2 ingredients at medium speed with a heavy-duty electric stand mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until blended after each addition; stir in vanilla.

Whisk together flour and next 4 ingredients in a medium bowl. Add flour mixture to sugar mixture alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat just until blended after each addition. Spread batter in a greased (with shortening) and floured 9- x 2-inch round cake pan.

Bake at 350° for 50 minutes, shielding with aluminum foil after 35 to 40 minutes to prevent excessive browning, if necessary. Cool in pan on a wire rack 10 minutes. Remove from pan, and cool completely (about 1 hour).

Meanwhile, prepare Apples. Cut apples into 1/2-inch-thick wedges. Toss together apples, 1/2 cup brown sugar, and next 3 ingredients. Melt 2 Tbsp. butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat; add apple mixture, and sauté 5 to 6 minutes or until crisp-tender and golden. Cool completely (about 30 minutes).

Arrange sautéed apples over cooled cake.