Sweet Cherry Upside-Down Cake

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350°. Place butter in a 13x9-in. baking pan; heat in oven until butter is melted, 2-3 minutes. Remove pan from oven; tilt carefully to coat bottom and sides with butter. Immediately sprinkle with 3/4 cup sugar. Arrange cherries in a single layer over sugar, cut side down.
• In a large bowl, cream shortening and remaining 1-1/2 cups sugar until crumbly. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk, beating well after each addition. Batter may appear curdled. Spoon over cherries.
• Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 35-40 minutes. Cool 10 minutes before inverting onto a serving plate. Serve warm.