Apple Upside-Down Cake with Almonds

Name: Apple Upside-Down Cake with Almonds
Yield: Serves 8
Ingredients: 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick), unsalted butter, cut into 4 pieces, plus extra for pan; 4 , Granny Smith apples (about 2 pounds), peeled and cored; 2/3 cup, packed light brown sugar (4 2/3 ounces/132 grams); 2 teaspoons, juice from 1 lemon; 1 cup, unbleached all-purpose flour (5 ounces/142 grams); 1/3 cup, finely ground almonds, toasted; 1 tablespoon, cornmeal (optional); 1 teaspoon, baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon, table salt; 3/4 cup, granulated sugar (5 1/4 ounces/149 grams); 1/4 cup, packed light brown sugar (1 3/4 ounces/50 grams); 2 , large eggs; 6 tablespoons (3/4 stick), unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly; 1/2 cup, sour cream; 1 teaspoon, vanilla extract; 1 teaspoon, almond extract

Desserts or Baked Goods
Fruit
Cakes
Fruit Desserts

Appears in Cook's Illustrated September/October 2009, America's Test Kitchen TV

Ever since pineapple came to town, apple upside-down cake has been a bit player. A successful comeback would require a flavorful topping and just the right kind of cake.

SERVES 8

TIME 1¼ hours, plus 40 minutes cooling

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