Description
A cozy, caramel-crowned Upside-Down Apple Cake with tender spiced crumb and glossy, buttery apples. Simple pantry staples come together for a showstopping flip that tastes like warm autumn in every bite.
Ingredients
- Apples, 3 medium, peeled, cored, thinly sliced
- Unsalted butter, 1/2 cup (113 g), divided
- Brown sugar, 3/4 cup (150 g), divided
- Granulated sugar, 1/2 cup (100 g)
- All-purpose flour, 1 1/2 cups (190 g)
- Baking powder, 1 1/2 teaspoons
- Ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon
- Fine salt, 1/4 teaspoon
- Eggs, 2 large
- Milk, 1/2 cup (120 ml)
- Vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan and line the bottom with parchment.
- Make the dry mix: In a bowl whisk flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt until combined.
- Make the wet mix: In a separate bowl whisk eggs, granulated sugar, remaining 1/4 cup brown sugar, melted remaining butter, milk, and vanilla until smooth.
- Prepare the topping: Place 1/4 cup butter in the cake pan and melt in the warm oven or on stovetop if pan is heat-safe. Sprinkle 1/2 cup brown sugar evenly over the melted butter. Arrange apple slices in a tight spiral.
- Combine batter: Add the dry mix to the wet mix and stir just until no dry streaks remain.
- Assemble: Pour batter gently over the apples and smooth the top.
- Bake 40 to 45 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the top is golden.
- Cool 5 minutes, loosen the edges with a knife, then invert onto a serving plate. Peel off parchment.
- Serve warm, slicing carefully so the caramelized apples stay intact.
Notes
- Use firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp so slices hold their shape.
- Toss sliced apples with a little lemon juice if prepping ahead to prevent browning.
- Room temperature eggs and milk help create a smoother batter and even rise.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the crumb tender.
- Invert after 5 minutes, not longer, so the caramel does not harden in the pan.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 36 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 63 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 73 mg
Keywords: Upside-Down Apple Cake, apple dessert, caramelized apples, easy apple cake, fall baking, cinnamon apple cake