CRANBERRY UPSIDE-DOWN CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees with rack in center. Butter an 8-by-2-inch round cake pan. Line with a parchment circle cut to fit the 8-inch bottom, and butter the parchment. Coat with flour, tapping out excess; set aside. In a large skillet, heat 6 tablespoons butter over medium heat until sizzling. Add cranberries and toss to coat, about 1 minute.
• Add maple syrup and cinnamon to skillet. Cook, stirring gently, just until cranberries begin to burst, about 1 minute. Using a slotted spoon, transfer cranberries to the prepared pan. Return skillet with syrup to medium heat, and simmer until thickened, about 2 minutes. Pour syrup over cranberries; set aside.
• In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cornmeal, baking powder, and salt; set aside. Place remaining 6 tablespoons butter in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Crumble in almond paste, and beat on medium speed until smooth and combined, about 30 seconds.
• With mixer running, gradually add 3/4 cup sugar to butter mixture; beat until creamy. Add yolks, beat until combined. Beat in vanilla extract. Add flour mixture in two batches, alternating with milk. Set batter aside.
• In a clean mixing bowl, whisk egg whites until foamy. Gradually add remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, and beat until soft peaks form. Whisk 1/3 of the egg whites into batter, and then fold in the remaining whites.
• Spread batter over cranberries in pan, smoothing with an offset spatula, and bake until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean, 50 to 60 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool, about 20 minutes. Invert cake onto a serving plate and serve at room temperature.