Big Ray's Caramel-Apple Skillet Buckle

My grandma used to make a version of this for me when I was little on her farm with fresh apples from her tree in the backyard. I've adapted her recipe because I love the combination of apple, pecans, and caramel. If desired, serve with ice cream.

• Preparation Time: 25 mins
• Cooking Time: 1 hr 3 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 28 mins
• Calories: 465 Calories

Ingredients

• ½ cup butter, softened
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup white sugar
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ⅔ cup packed brown sugar
• 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• 2 large eggs
• ¾ cup finely chopped pecans
• 1 tablespoon buttermilk
• 1 ½ cups buttermilk
• ½ cup old-fashioned oats
• ¼ cup cold butter
• 1 ¾ teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 6 cups peeled and sliced Gala apples
• 18 individually wrapped caramels, unwrapped

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter a 12-inch oven-proof skillet.

Step 2

Beat 1/2 cup butter and white sugar together in a large bowl using an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla extract.

Step 3

Whisk 2 cups flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, and salt together in a separate bowl. Add to the butter mixture alternately with 1 1/2 cups buttermilk, beating well after each addition. Pour batter into the prepared skillet.

Step 4

Mix brown sugar and 1/2 cup flour together in a small bowl. Cut in cold butter with 2 knives or a pastry blender until mixture is crumbly. Stir in pecans and oats; sprinkle over the batter in the skillet. Top with apples.

Step 5

Bake in the preheated oven until apples are golden brown, 60 to 70 minutes. Let cool in pan or a wire rack.

Step 6

Combine caramels and 1 tablespoon buttermilk in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave until caramels are melted, 30 seconds at a time, stirring after each melting, for 3 to 6 minutes total. Stir until smooth; drizzle over the cake. Let stand until set, about 20 minutes.