Ingredients

TOPPING

1. 6 tablespoons unsalted butter 5 Fuji or Granny Smith apples (about 2 1/2 pounds)--peeled, cored and cut into 6 wedges each 1/4 cup brandy 1 cup sugar

CAKE

1. 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons buttermilk
2. 3 large egg yolks
3. 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
4. 1 cup cake flour
5. 3/4 cup sugar
6. 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
7. 1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder
8. 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
9. 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
10. 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
11. 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
12. 1/4 teaspoon salt
13. 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

1. Vanilla ice cream, for serving

Directions

1. make the topping:Butter a 10-inch cake pan. Melt the butter in a large skillet. Add the apple wedges in an even layer and cook over moderately low heat, turning halfway through cooking, until golden brown, about 8 minutes. Add the brandy and simmer until the alcohol cooks off, about 3 minutes. Add the sugar and cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples are browned and the sugar caramelizes to a deep golden, about 12 minutes.
2. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cooked apples to the prepared cake pan and arrange them in concentric circles. Pour the caramel over the apples. 
3. make the cake: Preheat the oven to 350°. In a medium bowl, mix the buttermilk with the egg yolks and vanilla. In a large bowl, combine the cake flour, sugar, all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves and salt. Using an electric mixer, beat in the butter. Gradually add the buttermilk mixture, beating on low speed until well blended. 
4. Scrape the batter over the apples in the pan and smooth the top. Bake for about 30 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool until warm, then invert onto a large plate. Cut the cake into wedges and serve with the vanilla ice cream.
   

Make Ahead

The cake can stand at room temperature for up to 5 hours.