Description
This caramel apple upside-down cake is a delightful dessert featuring tender baked apples coated in a buttery caramel glaze, layered beneath a moist cinnamon-spiced cake. With a luscious combination of warm spices and rich caramel, it’s perfect for fall or any occasion that calls for a comforting, sweet treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Topping
- 6 Tablespoons (85g) unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup (100g) packed light or dark brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 medium apples, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch slices (1.5–2 cups, or 188–250g, apple slices)
Cake Batter
- 1 and 1/2 cups (188g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (8 Tbsp; 113g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (100g) packed light or dark brown sugar
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 6 Tablespoons (90ml) whole milk, at room temperature
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare topping: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine butter and brown sugar. Whisk occasionally until butter melts, then whisk constantly for 1 minute as the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and stir in cinnamon and vanilla extract. Pour this caramel topping into an ungreased 9×2 inch pie or cake pan, then neatly arrange the apple slices on top, overlapping if necessary. Chill the pan in the refrigerator for a few minutes to set the topping’s arrangement.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream butter and sugars: Using a hand or stand mixer with a paddle or whisk attachment, beat softened butter on high speed until smooth and creamy, about 1 minute. Add granulated and brown sugar, beating on high speed until well combined, about 1 minute. Scrape down the bowl as needed.
- Add eggs and vanilla: Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract on high speed until thoroughly mixed. Scrape down the sides of the bowl again to incorporate everything evenly.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: With the mixer on low speed, gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Slowly pour in the milk while mixing on low speed just until combined, avoiding over-mixing. If needed, whisk by hand briefly to eliminate any lumps. The batter should be slightly thick.
- Assemble cake: Remove the topping pan from the refrigerator and evenly pour the cake batter over the apple topping, spreading gently to cover.
- Bake the cake: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 40–46 minutes. Halfway through baking, tent foil over the cake to prevent excessive browning on top. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool and invert: Remove the cake from the oven and cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Then carefully invert the cake onto a serving plate or stand. Some caramel juices may drip over the sides—this adds to the appeal. For best results, allow the cake to cool completely at room temperature before slicing; avoid refrigeration as it can make the cake dense.
- Storage: Cover leftover slices and store refrigerated for up to 3 days or freeze individual slices for up to 3 months. Thaw slices at room temperature. Freezing the whole cake is not recommended due to topping texture loss.
Notes
- Use a 9-inch round or 9×2 inch deep cake or pie pan for best results.
- Room temperature eggs and milk help the batter mix smoothly and rise well.
- Do not over-mix the batter to maintain a tender crumb.
- Tent foil halfway during baking to prevent excessive browning.
- Let cake cool completely before slicing to avoid messy slices.
- Refrigeration thickens the cake, so cool it naturally at room temperature.
- Freeze individual slices to best preserve texture and flavor; do not freeze whole cake.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: caramel apple cake, upside down cake, apple dessert, fall dessert, cinnamon apple cake, caramel dessert
