This Easy Caramel Apple Upside-Down Cake combines sweet fruit and a gooey caramel topping for a fabulous dessert. It’s not only tasty, but it also looks impressive on the table!
Honestly, who doesn’t love a cake that’s a little fruity and a lot sweet? I like serving it warm with a scoop of ice cream—heavenly! 🍏🍦
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Unsalted butter: This is essential for the caramel topping and cake’s richness. If you’re out, you can substitute with salted butter, just reduce any additional salt in the recipe.
Apples: Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples are my favorites for their balance of tartness and sweetness. If you don’t have those, any firm apple like Fuji or Braeburn also works well.
Granulated sugar: The recipe calls for granulated sugar, but you can substitute it partially with coconut sugar for a more complex flavor, just be aware it may darken the cake color.
Whole milk: If you’re looking to reduce calories or are dairy-free, almond or oat milk can be used here without sacrificing much flavor.
How Do I Make Sure My Cake is Light and Fluffy?
To achieve a light and fluffy cake, creaming the butter and sugar well is crucial. This step incorporates air into your batter. Aim for a light, pale color and fluffy texture, about 3-4 minutes of mixing should do the trick!
- Beat the butter alone first until it’s creamy before adding the sugar.
- Incorporate eggs one at a time, mixing until fully blended before adding the next.
- When mixing the dry ingredients with the wet, mix just until combined to avoid a dense texture.
Following these tips will help ensure your caramel apple upside-down cake has a tender crumb and fluffy texture everyone will love! Enjoy baking!
Easy Caramel Apple Upside-Down Cake
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Caramel Topping:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
For the Cake:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup whole milk
How Much Time Will You Need?
You’ll need about 15 minutes to prepare the ingredients and mix the batter, followed by 45-50 minutes of baking time. You should allow for an additional 10 minutes of cooling before serving, so the total time spent is around 1 hour and 15 minutes. Definitely worth it for this crowd-pleasing dessert!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat and Prepare
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grab a 9-inch round cake pan and grease it with butter or cooking spray, then sprinkle a little flour inside to prevent sticking. This will make it easy to remove your cake later!
2. Make the Caramel Topping
In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 1/2 cup of butter. Once melted, add in the brown sugar, and stir consistently until the mixture comes to a gentle boil. Let it bubble for about 1 minute until it’s smooth and combined. Pour this luscious caramel into the bottom of your prepared cake pan.
3. Arrange the Apples
Now, take those sliced apples and arrange them in a circular pattern on top of the caramel in the pan. Feel free to overlap the slices a bit to make it look pretty!
4. Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This will ensure they’re well combined and ready for your wet ingredients!
5. Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer for about 3-4 minutes until it’s light and fluffy. This step is crucial for making the cake airy and delicious!
6. Add Eggs and Vanilla
Next, beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract to add a lovely flavor.
7. Combine Dry Ingredients and Milk
Now it’s time to mix in your dry ingredients. Alternately add the flour mixture and milk to the butter mixture, starting with the flour and ending with it as well. Be gentle and mix just until combined; overmixing can lead to a tough cake.
8. Spoon the Batter into the Pan
Carefully spoon the cake batter over the arranged apples in the pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula. Make sure to cover the apples completely!
9. Bake It!
Place the cake in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Your kitchen will start to smell amazing!
10. Cool and Invert
Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 10 minutes. To serve, run a knife around the edges to loosen the cake, then carefully invert it onto a serving plate. The caramel apples will be beautifully displayed on top!
11. Serve and Enjoy!
Your caramel apple upside-down cake is now ready to enjoy! Serve it warm or at room temperature. It’s fantastic on its own, but you can also serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for extra indulgence.
Enjoy your delicious, fruity caramel apple upside-down cake!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I Use Different Fruits in This Cake?
Absolutely! While apples are classic for this recipe, you can try using pears, peaches, or even berries. Just make sure to slice the fruit thinly and adjust baking time slightly if using softer fruits.
How Should I Store Leftovers?
Store any leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to keep it longer, refrigerate it for up to a week. You can also freeze slices for up to 2 months; just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil for best results.
Can I Make This Cake Ahead of Time?
You sure can! You can prepare the cake a day in advance. Let it cool completely, then cover it and store it at room temperature. Just warm it slightly in the oven before serving for a fresh taste!
What Should I Serve with This Cake?
This cake is delicious on its own, but it pairs beautifully with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. A drizzle of caramel sauce on top adds an extra touch of indulgence!
