1/2 cup butter, unsalted, cubed, at room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
zest of 1 lemon
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup milk (whole or low-fat) at room temperature
Directions:
In a 9- to 10-inch (23-25cm) cast iron skillet, pour in honey until a thin layer settles over the entire bottom of the pan. Distribute the cranberries over the honey and shake the pan so they are in a relatively even layer. Set the pan aside.
Preheat the oven to 350ºF (180ºC).
In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal or polenta, baking powder, and salt.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, or by hand in a mixing bowl with a spatula,
beat the ½ cup of butter, granulated sugar and lemon zest at medium high speed
for 3 to 5 minutes, until very light and fluffy.
Reduce the speed of the mixer to medium and add the eggs one at a time,
stopping the mixer to scrape down the sides. Mix in the vanilla extract.
At low speed, add half of the flour mixture, then the milk, then the remaining
dry ingredients, mixing just enough so that they're all combined. Do not overmix.
Spoon the batter over
the cranberries in four mounds, then use a spatula to spread the batter evenly
over the fruit.
Bake the cake until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the
center comes out clean, about 50 minutes. Remove from the oven, wait 10 minutes,
then run a knife around the cake. Place a serving platter overturned on top
of the cake in the skillet, then using oven mitts to cover your hands, flip the
two over simultaneously, until the cake releases from the pan.