By tradition, the Danish are connoisseurs of home baking. Even though they are known world wide for rich and buttery Danish pastry, they do not limit themselves to just that. Apples are a favorite ingredient for coffee and dessert cakes such as this one. Danish cakes are also pretty to look at. This one is a golden butter cake topped with apple halves that are sliced but kept intact.

Bake at 400 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes. Makes 16 servings at 24 cents each. Nutrient Value Per Serving: 216 calories, 3 g protein, 11 g fat, 27 g carbohydrates, 129 mg sodium, 79 mg cholesterol.

3/4 c. (1 1/2 sticks) butter, softened
3/4 c. sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 c. all purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
5 Granny Smith or Golden Delicious apples (about 2 lbs. 3 oz.)
2 tbsp. butter, melted
2 tbsp. sugar

1. Preheat oven to hot (400 degrees). Butter an 11 inch tart pan with removable bottom or 9 x 9 x 2 inch square cake pan.

2. Beat together the 3/4 cup butter and the 3/4 cup sugar in large bowl until blended. Add eggs and vanilla; beat until light and fluffy. Combine flour and baking powder in small bowl. Stir flour mixture into butter mixture to make rather stiff batter. Spread into pan.

3. Peel apples. Halve lengthwise and core. Place each half flat side down. Cut each half crosswise into 1/4 inch thick slices. Keep slices together in shape of apple. Press whole apple halves one at a time, flat side down, into batter in pan, spacing them evenly. Leave 1 inch of batter exposed in center. Brush apples with melted butter. Sprinkle with sugar.

4. Bake in preheated hot oven (400 degrees) for 30 to 35 minutes or until golden and apples are tender when pierced. Serve warm with ice cream, if you wish.