Recipe: Famous Dave's Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

PINEAPPLE UPSIDE-DOWN CAKE

2/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
9 canned pineapple slices
9 maraschino cherry halves
FOR THE CAKE:
2 egg yolks
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup shortening
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/4 cup pineapple juice
1/4 cup half-and-half
1/4 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 egg whites, stiffly beaten

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Mix brown sugar and 1/3 cup butter in a bowl. Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla and cinnamon. Spread evenly over the bottom of an ungreased 9-inch cast-iron skillet or 9x9-inch round baking pan. Heat until the brown sugar melts.

Arrange the pineapple slices over the brown sugar mixture. Place a cherry half in the middle of each slice.

TO MAKE THE CAKE:
Beat egg yolks in a mixer bowl until thickened. Add 1/2 cup sugar gradually, beating constantly until blended.

In another mixer bowl, mix flour, baking powder and salt. Add shortening, 1/4 cup butter, pineapple juice, half-and-half, buttermilk and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat until blended, scraping the bowl occasionally. Mix in egg yolk mixture. Fold in beaten egg whites. Spoon the batter over the fruit mixure in the prepared skillet.

Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean. Invert the skillet onto a serving platter, allowing the skillet to rest on the cake for several minutes before removing.

Servings: 6 to 9
Source: Famous Dave's Backroads and Sidestreets by Dave Anderson