Cornbread with tenders

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)[...]

1 cup butter or margarine, divided 3 cups white cornmeal 1 cup all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons sugar 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 1/2 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon[...]