Apple Fritter Cake with Maple Glaze

This entire cake can be made in advance and warmed up to serve or just served at room temperature.  However, you can also assemble it in steps; basically you can make it up until you pour the batter over, then refrigerate and bake off the next day....that will ensure your house smells of cooking apples.  Make the glaze in advance and just drizzle over the warm cake when ready to serve.

Apple Fritter Cake with Maple Glaze

Ingredients

• 4 apples, chopped
• 2 Tbsp. apple pie spice, divided
• 2 cups flour, divided
• 2 cups brown sugar, divided
• 4 Tbsp. butter, softened
• 6 Tbsp. vegetable shortening, divided
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla
• 1/8 tsp. salt
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 Tbsp. maple syrup

Makes a 12" skillet cake
Cook time: 1 hour and 30 minutes

Preheat oven to 400.
Put 2 Tbsp. in the bottom of a 12" cast iron skillet and put in oven to preheat.  Mix together 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1 Tbsp. apple pie spice; toss half the apples in the mixture.  Remove hot cast iron skillet from oven and transfer apples to skillet; return to oven to begin cooking the apples.  Meanwhile, toss remaining apples in a few tablespoons flour and set aside.
Cream remaining brown sugar, shortening, and butter with beater attachment in stand mixer (a hand mixer will work too).  Add eggs, one at a time, letting each one combine completely before adding the next.  Alternate adding flour and milk, mixing well after each addition.  Add vanilla, remaining apple pie spice, and salt.  Remove case iron skillet from oven and pour batter evenly over apples; spread batter as close to the sides of the skillet as possible, but it will spread as it cooks, so it's ok if the batter doesn't reach the sides yet.
Meanwhile, combine powdered sugar and maple syrup to create a glaze (thin with a little milk if you would like it to be a lighter consistency).
Bake skillet cake for about an hour - a toothpick inserted should come out clean.  Allow cake to cool for 10 minutes, then carefully invert (it is very heavy) onto a large platter.  Drizzle cake with glaze and serve hot or at room temperature.