Cornbread Pecan Dressing without nutmeg

12 tablespoons butter (1 1/2 sticks) 2 cups finely-chopped yellow onions 3 tart apples , cored and chunked, but not peeled (Jonathan, Winesap or Granny Smith)[...]

4 tablespoons unsalted butter 3 cups cornmeal 2 teaspoons cream of tartar 2 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon baking soda 3 cups low-fat milk 4 large eggs 9 ounces[...]