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Baked brown sugar pancakes with applesauce

Serves 4-6

4 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup whole milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

½ cup plus 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, all but 2 tablespoons melted
1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar
Applesauce, warmed

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Stir together the eggs, milk, and vanilla in a large mixing bowl, then add ½ cup of the brown sugar, the cinnamon, and flour. It's all right if a few small lumps remain. Stir in six tablespoons of melted butter.

2. Heat the remaining two tablespoons of butter in a 9- or 10-inch ovenproof skillet, preferably cast-iron, over medium heat. When the foam subsides, add the batter to the pan and let it cook undisturbed on top of the stove for 1 minute, then transfer the pan to the preheated oven. Bake the pancake for 20 to 30 minutes, until risen and browned.

3. Dust the top of the pancake with the remaining brown sugar and the confectioners' sugar and bring it to the table piping hot, in the pan, before it falls. Serve with applesauce on the side.