Description
Caramel apple upside down cake brings classic Southern comfort to dessert tables with rich layers of warm spices and sweet caramelized fruit. Homemade goodness melts together, creating a memorable treat you’ll savor down to the last crumbly bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients (Caramel and Fruit):
- 1/4 cup (56 grams) unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup (110 grams) brown sugar (packed)
- 2–3 medium apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
- 1 medium apple, peeled and diced
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups (180 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (110 grams) brown sugar (packed)
Wet Ingredients and Spices:
- 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter (softened)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup (80 milliliters) whole milk
Instructions
- Prepare the oven at 350°F (175°C) and coat a 9-inch round cake pan with grease for optimal non-stick performance.
- Create a rich caramel base by melting butter and brown sugar in a saucepan over medium heat until smooth, then enhance with cinnamon and nutmeg before pouring into the prepared pan.
- Artfully arrange thinly sliced apples atop the caramel layer, ensuring even coverage and allowing the pan to rest in the refrigerator during ingredient preparation.
- Combine flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg in a mixing bowl, whisking thoroughly to distribute dry ingredients evenly.
- Using an electric mixer, cream softened butter with granulated and brown sugars until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, then incorporate eggs, vanilla extract, and milk until well integrated.
- Gently fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, maintaining a smooth consistency, and optionally mix in diced apples for enhanced fruit flavor.
- Carefully pour cake batter over the apple and caramel base, ensuring complete coverage, and bake for 40-45 minutes until the top turns golden brown and a toothpick emerges clean when inserted.
- Allow cake to cool for 10-15 minutes, then confidently invert onto a serving plate, revealing the beautiful caramelized apple topping, and serve warm accompanied by whipped cream and additional caramel sauce.
Notes
- Choose firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best balance of sweetness and structure in the upside-down cake.
- Line the cake pan with parchment paper for easier removal and a cleaner presentation when inverting the cake.
- Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature to create a smoother, more even cake batter with better texture.
- Dust the diced apples in a little flour before folding into the batter to prevent them from sinking and distribute evenly throughout the cake.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 283 kcal
- Sugar: 33 g
- Sodium: 190 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg