When I develop recipes I like to begin by trying to create simple recipes for people who don't have almost every equipment ever made like me! Back in my pre-Le Cordon Bleu days, I had entered an apple pie competition and baked apple pies for days! So I didn't want to add a apple pie recipe yet. I know people love cast iron skillets and they are very handy! That's when I decided I would create an apple pandowdy recipe for cast irons. I mean go crazy and bake it on a round pie tie, sheet pan, cupcake tins or wherever you desire. But the cast iron works! This is a southern dessert, ever heard of apple cobbler? similar, instead you bake it with a batter on top. Smells heavenly. You want green apples for baking (granny smith) but in times of need, red apples will do. I hate food waste. Red apples will result ina bit more softer and mushier texture, but I love it too!
Serves : about 4 people
Granny Smith apples, peeled and cut in 8 slices 1.7 LB (ea)
Lime Juice 1 tsp
Brown Sugar 3 tbsp
Cinnamon, ground 2 tsp
Nutmeg, ground 1/4 tsp
Unsalted butter, softened 4oz
Sugar 3.5 oz (1/2 cup)
Egg 1 each
All Purpose Flour (or bread flour better) 7.5 oz (1 1/2 c)
Baking Powder 2 tsp
Whole Milk 4 oz (1/2 c)
Pre-heat your oven to 350 F (I like to use convection setting if you have it.)
Start by peeling all your apples and slicing them into 8 wedges, you can go ahead and make large dice instead. In a large bowl I like to add cold water and I leave my apples floating in there while I peel and dice to prevent them from turning brown fast. Once all your apples are cut, drain the water and make sure they aren't wet. To that bowl add the lime juice, brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Toss all of it.
Next, either on a stand mixer or with a hand mixer, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Then add the egg and beat for another 2 minutes. Sift your flour and baking powder and add it to the butter-sugar mix and beat until it just incorporates. Then beat in the milk until it incorporates, do not over mix, about 1 minute each.
In an 8-inch cast iron, grease it with vegetable spray and then add the apples. Arrange them evenly on the cast iron. Then add the batter on the top of the apples and using a small spatula, spread it evenly all around covering the apples and to the edge of the pan. Place in the oven and bake for about 40 minutes.
Serve warm and with ice cream if desired.