Apple Upside-Down Cake

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• Pinch of salt
• 2 Golden Delicious apples-peeled, cored and cut into 1/2-inch wedges
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, melted
• 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 tablespoon milk

Steps

Prepare the apples

1. Set out the ingredients and heat the oven to 350°F.
2. Fit parchment into the base of a 9-inch cake pan. Blend the butter, brown sugar and salt in a large bowl.
3. Spread the butter mixture in an even layer in the lined pan, then lay out the apple wedges in two concentric circles.

Make the cake

1. Using that same bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Combine the eggs, milk and vanilla in a separate small bowl.
2. Whisk the egg mixture and melted butter into the dry ingredients until smooth. Scrape the batter over the apples and level it evenly.
3. Bake on the oven's lower-third level for about 55 minutes. The cake is done when it is golden and springy and a toothpick inserted at the center comes out clean.
4. Set the pan on a rack for 30 minutes of cooling. Trace the inside edge with a knife tip, place a serving plate centrally over the cake and carefully invert the cake and plate together. Lift off the pan, peel away the parchment and leave the cake to cool completely.
5. For the glaze, stir the powdered sugar and milk together in a small bowl and drizzle over the cake. Slice into wedges and serve.