Apple Caramel Cake

3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 1/3 cup light or dark brown sugar
1 3/4 tsp. cinnamon
1 cup pecan halves
2 medium Granny Smith apples sliced in thin wedges
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 1/4 tsp salt

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Coat sides of 9" frying pan with cooking spray. Place 3 Tbsp. melted butter in bottom of pan; swirl to coat bottom. Sprinkle with 1/3 cup brown sugar and 1/4 tsp. cinnamon. Arrange 12 pecan halves around edge of pan. Arrange apple slices in pan. Chop remaining pecans.

Stir together flour, baking soda, salt and remaining spice in medium sized bowl until combined. Beat together remaining butter and brown sugar in medium sized bowl until smooth. Stir in 3/4 cup water. Stir in flour mixture and chopped nuts just until combined. Spoon onto pan evenly over apples. Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes. Test center and cool on rack for 10 minutes. Invert, remove pan and serve. Serve eight.