Skillet Apple Cake

I saw this cake featured on Photograzing, clicked, and was led to the blog, One Vanilla Bean.  I love cooking and baking with apples at this time of year. We have apple orchards locally so I can get them extra fresh, and at very reasonable prices.  Not to mention that I love making anything in my iron skillets.  Cast iron cookery is part of my heritage and always makes me feel grounded and happy. 

Skillet Apple Cake

Apples:
1 tsp. boiled cider, which can be made by boiling 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar for about 5 minutes
1 1/2 lbs. apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
1/3 cup brown sugar
3 Tbsp. maple syrup
1 tsp. cinnamon
pinch of salt

Cake:
1 1/3 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2/3 cup warm milk
1 egg
6 Tbsp. melted butter
2 tsp vanilla
2 Tbsp. turbinado sugar

Preheat oven and generously butter a 10-inch cast iron skillet.

Mix together the apples, boiled cider, brown sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon and salt.  Set aside.

Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a medium mixing bowl.  In another bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, butter, and vanilla. Combine the wet and dry ingredients into a smooth batter.

Pour the batter into the prepared skillet.  Arrange the apples over the batter, pouring any extra juices over the apples.  Sprinkle the top with the turbinado sugar.  Bake for 40 to 50 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Remove skillet from the oven and run a knife around the edges of the pan to keep the cake from sticking as it cools.

Serve with freshly whipped cream.