Name: Caramel And Apple Upside Down Cake Recipe
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 medium apples, peeled, cored, and sliced; 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar; 1/4 cup unsalted butter; 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened; 2 large eggs; 1/2 cup whole milk; 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Hey y’all! If you’re on the hunt for the ultimate cozy dessert, you can’t go wrong with this Caramel And Apple Upside Down Cake Recipe. Imagine tender, caramel-glazed apples melting into a buttery, moist cake—sweet, fruity, and oh-so-irresistible! It’s a crowd-pleaser for gatherings, potlucks, or even a laid-back weekend treat. Let’s get cooking!

Why You’ll Love This Caramel And Apple Upside Down Cake Recipe

Rich caramel and juicy apples offer a perfect blend of sweet and tart flavors.
The cake is soft, moist, and makes an impressive presentation for guests.
Easy to make with everyday pantry staples and minimal prep time.
Versatile enough for brunch, dessert, or a special occasion.
Delicious served warm, especially with ice cream or whipped cream.

Ingredients for Caramel And Apple Upside Down Cake Recipe

For the Caramel & Topping:
- ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter
- ¾ cup (150g) packed light brown sugar
- 3 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp recommended), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
For the Cake:
- 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ⅔ cup (160ml) whole milk

Directions: How to Make Caramel And Apple Upside Down Cake Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Caramel & Apples

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan and line the bottom with parchment paper for easy removal.
In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt ½ cup butter. Stir in the brown sugar and cook for 2-3 minutes until bubbling and combined. Pour the caramel into the prepared pan.
Arrange apple slices over the caramel in a single, overlapping layer. Set aside.

Step 2: Make the Cake Batter

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
In a large mixing bowl, cream ½ cup softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (2-3 minutes) using an electric mixer.
Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Mix in the vanilla extract.
Alternately add the flour mixture and milk to the creamed mixture, beginning and ending with the flour. Mix until just combined—do not overmix.

Step 3: Bake the Caramel And Apple Upside Down Cake

Gently spread the batter over the apples and caramel, smoothing the top.
Bake for 40-45 minutes, until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then carefully invert onto a serving plate. Peel off the parchment for that gorgeous apple-caramel topping.

Notes & Tips for the Best Caramel And Apple Upside Down Cake Recipe

Choose tart apples like Granny Smith for a nice flavor contrast; see more about apple varieties at Bon Appétit: Best Apples for Baking.
Don’t skip the parchment—makes removal a breeze!
Use room temperature ingredients for a smoother cake batter (King Arthur Baking: Why Room Temperature Ingredients).

Variations on the Caramel And Apple Upside Down Cake Recipe

Pear & Ginger Upside Down Cake: Swap apples for ripe pears and add ½ teaspoon ground ginger for a spicy twist.
Nutty Caramel Apple: Sprinkle ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts over the caramel before adding apples.
Spiced Maple: Replace half the brown sugar with pure maple syrup and add extra cinnamon and cloves.

Required Equipment for Caramel And Apple Upside Down Cake Recipe

9-inch round cake pan
Mixing bowls
Electric mixer or whisk
Small saucepan
Spatula
Parchment paper

Storage Instructions for Caramel And Apple Upside Down Cake

Store leftovers tightly wrapped at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Refrigerate for up to 5 days, bringing to room temperature or gently reheating before serving.
Freeze for up to 2 months—wrap the cake well and thaw overnight in the fridge.

Serving Suggestions & Pairings

Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
Add a sprinkle of cinnamon or drizzle salted caramel sauce on top for extra decadence.
Pairs perfectly with hot coffee, chai tea, or even a comforting mulled cider.

Pro Tips for the Best Caramel And Apple Upside Down Cake Recipe

Let the cake rest for 10 minutes before inverting to allow the caramel to set.
Don’t overmix the batter—a light touch yields a fluffier crumb, as detailed by Serious Eats: Cake Mixing Methods.
If the apple topping sticks to the pan when unmolding, simply patch it on top—the caramel makes everything delicious and pretty.

FAQ: Caramel And Apple Upside Down Cake Recipe

What apples work best for this recipe?: Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn are great choices; they hold their shape and balance the sweet caramel.
Can I prepare this cake in advance?: Absolutely! Make it a day ahead, then warm individual slices before serving for that just-baked flavor.
How do I prevent the caramel from burning?: Cook the butter and brown sugar just until bubbling and combined, then remove from heat and pour promptly into the pan. Watch closely!

Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cook Time: 45 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes | Serves: 8

Caramel And Apple Upside Down Cake Recipe