Famous Dave's Pineapple Upside-down Cake

Serves 6-9

Ingredients

 * ⅔ cup packed light brown sugar
 * ⅓ + ¼ cup butter, softened, divided
 * 2 tsp vanilla extract, divided
 * ½ tsp cinnamon
 * 9 canned pineapple slices
 * 9 maraschino cherry halves
 * 2 egg yolks
 * 2 egg whites, stiffly beaten
 * ½ cup sugar
 * 1½ cups flour
 * 2 tsp baking powder
 * ¾ tsp salt
 * ¼ cup shortening
 * ¼ cup pineapple juice
 * ¼ cup half and half
 * ¼ cup buttermilk

Directions

 * 1) Preheat oven to 350°F.
 * 2) Mix brown sugar and ⅓ cup butter in a bowl.
 * 3) Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla and cinnamon.
 * 4) Spread evenly over the bottom of an ungreased 9" cast iron skillet or a 9" x 9" baking pan.
 * 5) Heat until the brown sugar melts.
 * 6) Arrange pineapple slices over the brown sugar mixture.
 * 7) Place a cherry half in the middle of each slice.
 * 8) Beat egg yolks in a mixer bowl until thickened.
 * 9) Gradually add ½ cup sugar, beating constantly until blended.
 * 10) Mix flour, baking powder and salt together in a large mixing bowl.
 * 11) Add shortening, ¼ cup butter, pineapple juice, half and half, buttermilk and 1 teaspoon vanilla.
 * 12) Beat until blended, scraping the bowl occasionally.
 * 13) Mix in egg yolk mixture.
 * 14) Fold in stiffly beaten egg whites.
 * 15) Spoon the batter into the prepared skillet.
 * 16) Bake for 35 – 40 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean.
 * 17) Invert the skillet onto a serving platter, allowing the skillet to rest on the cake for several minutes before removing.