Peel and core apples, cut them into slices then slice into halves and thirds (about 3 cups apples) In a small mixing bowl combine 3 tablespoon sugar with cinnamon and ginger, set aside until ready to use
Cut butter into chunks and place in a deep cast iron skillet. Put the skillet into the oven for 3-4 minutes or until the butter is melted and skillet is hot. Remove skillet from oven, sprinkle bottom of pan with about ⅓ brown sugar mixture. Carefully spread apples over the bottom of the skillet and sprinkle remaining sugar over apples. Put skillet back into the oven, cook for 5-8 minutes to caramelize apples (you should be able to complete the next step while apples are caramelizing)
Whisk flour with remaining tablespoon sugar, salt and nutmeg. Gradually add milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. When flour batter is smooth, beat in vanilla and eggs one by one. Beat by hand for approximately 2 minutes. Let batter rest for 5 minutes. Remove apples from the oven
Add one strip of bacon to the bottom of the skillet at a time trying not to overlap the pieces, arrange in a star or spoke pattern so that when sliced each piece will have a slice of bacon cooked into the batter. It may be necessary to cut bacon to fit skillet. Try not to go over the edge of the skillet to keep bacon from becoming too darkened while cooking.
Pour batter over bacon and caramelized apples, bake in the 400 degree oven for 20 minutes or center is set and sides are golden brown.
The pancake will puff dramatically while baking but fall within a few minutes after baking. Slice pancake into 6 pieces, sprinkle with powder sugar, bacon bites and serve with blackberry or maple syrup