Danish Apple Cake

 

¾ c. butter, softened

¾ c. sugar

3 eggs

1 t. vanilla

1 ½ c. flour

½ t. baking powder

5 Granny Smith Apples

2 T. butter, melted

2 T. sugar

 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Butter an 11 inch tart pan with removable bottom, or a 9 by 9 square cake pan.  Beat together the ¾ c. butter and the ¾ c. sugar until blended.  Add eggs and vanilla, beat until light and fluffy.  Combine flour and baking powder.  Stir flour mixture into butter mixture to make a rather stiff batter.  Spread into pan.  Peel apples.  Halve lengthwise and core.  Place each half flat side down.  Cut each half crosswise into ¼ inch thick slices.  Keep slices together in shape of apple.  Press whole apple halves ones at a time flat side down into batter in pan.  Leave 1 inch of batter exposed in center.  Brush apples with melted butter and sprinkle with sugar.  Bake for 30-35 minutes of until golden and apples are tender.