Decadent Caramel Apple Upside-Down Cake: The Ultimate Fall Dessert Recipe
As autumn leaves begin to turn and the air grows crisp, there’s nothing quite like the comforting aroma of fall baking filling your home. While pumpkin often takes center stage, for many, the true star of the season is the humble apple. And when you combine the sweet-tart goodness of apples with a rich, buttery caramel and a hint of cinnamon in a show-stopping upside-down cake, you’ve created something truly magical.
This Caramel Apple Upside-Down Cake is more than just a dessert; it’s an experience. Each slice offers a harmonious blend of tender, caramelized apples at the top, baked in a luscious brown sugar and butter glaze. Beneath this glistening layer lies a moist, cinnamon-spiced cake, creating a symphony of textures and flavors that embodies the very essence of fall. Serve it as is for a delightful treat, or elevate it further with a dollop of fresh whipped cream or a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream – a truly irresistible combination that takes this fall favorite over the top!
What makes this particular caramel apple cake recipe so special is its simplicity combined with its stunning presentation. The “upside-down” technique ensures that the beautiful apple and caramel layer becomes the magnificent crown of the cake when inverted. It’s an impressive centerpiece for any autumn gathering, from a cozy family dinner to a festive holiday feast, and yet it’s surprisingly easy to make. The extra homemade caramel sauce for drizzling adds an indulgent finish, enhancing every bite with its rich, buttery sweetness.
Table of Contents
- Ingredients You’ll Need
- The Best Apples for Baking
- How to Make Caramel Apple Upside-Down Cake
- Expert Tips for Baking an Upside-Down Cake
- Serving and Storing Your Cake
- Get the Full Recipe
- More Irresistible Caramel Apple Recipes
Essential Ingredients for Your Caramel Apple Upside-Down Cake
Ready to create this masterpiece? Gathering your ingredients is the first exciting step in bringing this flavorful caramel apple upside-down cake to life. This recipe calls for common pantry staples, ensuring that even novice bakers can achieve spectacular results. We’ll be using fresh, crisp apples, rich butter, two types of sugar for depth of flavor, and simple cake ingredients to build the foundation of our dessert. Let’s make sure you have everything on hand for a smooth baking experience!
Selecting the Best Apples for a Perfect Apple Cake
The success of any apple-centric dessert hinges significantly on the type of apples you choose. For an upside-down cake, you want apples that hold their shape beautifully during baking, offering a pleasant firm-tender texture rather than turning into mush. Equally important, a touch of tartness in the apple varieties helps to perfectly balance the sweetness of the caramel and cake, creating a more complex and enjoyable flavor profile. Varieties that are too sweet can make the entire dessert cloying.
For this caramel apple cake, we recommend using 2-3 medium apples. Here are some of the best varieties that consistently deliver excellent results in baking:
- Granny Smith: A classic for baking, known for its firm texture and tartness. It holds up exceptionally well and provides a bright flavor contrast.
- Jonagold: A cross between Jonathan and Golden Delicious, offering a good balance of sweet and tart with a firm flesh.
- Jonathan: A flavorful and slightly tart apple that becomes tender without losing its shape.
- Gala: While sweeter, Gala apples remain firm during baking and offer a mild, pleasant flavor.
- Honeycrisp: Famous for its crispness, it retains a good bite even after baking and has a lovely sweet-tart taste.
- Pink Lady / Cripps Pink: Another excellent sweet-tart option that keeps its structure and adds a beautiful pink hue.
Feel free to experiment by combining two different varieties to add more depth and complexity to your apple layer. A mix of a tarter apple like Granny Smith with a slightly sweeter one like Honeycrisp can create an exquisite flavor blend.
How to Make This Irresistible Caramel Apple Upside-Down Cake
Creating this stunning caramel apple upside-down cake is a straightforward and rewarding process. Follow these detailed steps to achieve a beautifully baked cake with a perfectly caramelized apple topping and a moist, flavorful crumb.
- Prepare Your Moist Cake Batter:
This is a classic one-bowl cake recipe, designed for ease and efficiency. Begin by creaming together softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer. Beat them on medium-high speed for about 2-3 minutes until the mixture is light in color and fluffy in texture. This creaming process incorporates air, which is crucial for a tender, airy cake crumb. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is well combined. Next, beat in the eggs, one at a time, allowing each to fully incorporate before adding the next. This prevents the batter from curdling. Stir in the vanilla extract. In a separate small bowl, whisk together your dry ingredients: all-purpose flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients in three additions, alternating with the milk, starting and ending with the flour mixture. Mix only until just combined; overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, leading to a tough cake.
Creaming butter and sugar until light and fluffy is key for a tender cake. - Craft the Caramel Base and Slice Apples:
In a small saucepan, combine butter and brown sugar. Heat this mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the butter is fully melted and the sugar is dissolved into it. The mixture may appear slightly grainy, but this is perfectly normal and will transform into a beautiful caramel during baking. Remove it from the heat once combined. While the caramel base is warm, peel your chosen apples and slice them evenly into ¼-inch thick rounds. Uniform slices ensure even cooking and a beautiful presentation.
Precisely slicing apples ensures even caramelization and a neat appearance. - Assemble in a 9-inch Pan:
Prepare your 9-inch round baking pan (a cake pan or even a cast iron skillet works wonderfully, ensuring it’s at least 2 inches deep to prevent overflow). Generously grease the pan with a nonstick baking spray, and for ultimate ease of release, line the bottom with a round of parchment paper. This parchment paper is your secret weapon for a flawless flip! Pour the warm caramel base evenly into the prepared pan. Artfully arrange the apple slices on top of the caramel, overlapping them slightly to create an appealing pattern. Then, carefully spoon the prepared cake batter over the apples, gently spreading it out with an offset spatula to form an even layer that completely covers the apples.
Carefully layer the caramel, apples, and cake batter for a perfect upside-down effect. - Bake to Golden Perfection:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the cake for approximately 30-35 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden brown and a gentle press on the center causes it to spring back. A wooden skewer inserted into the cake portion (avoiding the apples) should come out with moist crumbs, not wet batter. Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. This crucial cooling time allows the cake to finish setting up and the caramel to firm slightly, making the flipping process much easier and cleaner. - The Grand Flip and Cool:
While the cake is still warm (after the 10-minute resting period), it’s time for the big reveal! Run a thin knife around the edges of the cake to loosen it from the pan. Place your serving plate or cake stand upside down on top of the cake pan. With a quick, confident motion, carefully invert the cake and pan together onto the serving plate. The cake should release almost immediately, especially if you used parchment paper. If you don’t feel it release right away, let it sit for a few more minutes; gravity often does the trick. Gently lift the pan away. If any apple slices stick to the pan, simply carefully place them back onto the cake – no one will ever know!
The satisfying moment of flipping the cake to reveal its caramelized glory. - Whip Up a Quick Homemade Caramel Sauce:
To truly elevate this dessert, a simple homemade caramel sauce is a must. In a clean (or even the same unwashed) saucepan, combine brown sugar, butter, and milk. Place over medium heat and whisk continuously as the butter melts and the sugar dissolves. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract and a pinch of salt to enhance the flavor. This sauce can be made while the cake cools slightly or after it’s flipped.
Whisking the ingredients for a silky, rich caramel sauce topping. - Finish with Caramel and Serve:
Once the cake is flipped and slightly cooled, generously drizzle the warm homemade caramel sauce over the entire cake. For an even more impressive presentation, you can lightly spread a thin layer of caramel over the surface of the whole cake. When serving individual slices, add an extra spoonful of the warm, gooey caramel sauce. For ultimate indulgence, pair each slice with a dollop of fresh whipped cream or a scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream. The warm cake with cold toppings creates an exquisite contrast that is simply divine.
Expert Tips for Baking a Flawless Upside-Down Cake Every Time
Achieving a picture-perfect upside-down cake is incredibly satisfying, and with a few key techniques, you can ensure success. These tips will help you navigate the process, from pan preparation to the crucial inversion, so your caramel apple cake always comes out beautifully.
Follow these essential tips to guarantee beautiful upside-down cakes with ease:
- Choose the Right Pan: The ideal vessel for this cake is a 9-inch round baking pan. This could be a standard cake pan, a pie pan, or even a cast iron skillet. The most important factor is depth: ensure your chosen pan is at least 2 inches deep. This prevents the cake batter and the delicious caramel from overflowing in the oven, saving you from a sticky mess and ensuring your cake bakes evenly.
- Grease Your Pan Thoroughly and Use Parchment Paper: This is arguably the most critical step for a successful flip. Start by applying a very generous coating of non-stick baking spray (preferably one that contains flour, like Baker’s Joy) to every surface of the pan. Alternatively, you can butter and flour the pan. However, your true secret weapon is parchment paper. Cut a round of parchment paper to fit the bottom of your pan perfectly and lay it down after greasing. This creates a non-stick barrier that guarantees the caramelized apples and cake release cleanly without sticking.
- Allow the Cake to Cool, But Not Completely: Patience is a virtue, but timing is everything here. After baking, let your caramel apple cake cool in the pan for precisely 10 minutes. This short cooling period allows the cake structure to set fully and the hot caramel to firm up slightly, making it stable enough to invert. If you try to flip it too soon, the cake might collapse or tear. However, do not let it cool completely in the pan! If the cake becomes entirely cold, the caramel will harden and stick stubbornly to the pan, preventing a clean release.
- Be Confident and Flip-Wise: Before you attempt the flip, run a thin, flexible knife around the inner edges of the cake to loosen any stuck bits. Then, place your chosen serving plate or cake stand upside-down directly on top of the cake pan. Holding the pan and plate firmly together, in one quick and confident motion, swiftly flip them over. Don’t hesitate! The momentum helps the cake release. If you used parchment paper, it should release immediately. If you feel resistance, don’t force it. Let the inverted pan and plate sit for a few extra minutes; gravity can work wonders in encouraging the cake to drop.
- Carefully Remove the Cake Pan: Once flipped, gently lift the cake pan straight up and off the cake. Marvel at your perfectly inverted, beautifully caramelized creation! Occasionally, a rogue apple slice might stick to the bottom of the pan. Don’t panic! Simply use your knife or a small spatula to carefully remove it from the pan and place it back onto the cake. Smooth it into place; a little extra caramel sauce can help conceal any imperfections. No one will ever know!
Serving and Storing Your Delicious Caramel Apple Cake
This caramel apple upside-down cake is truly versatile in how it can be enjoyed and stored, making it an ideal dessert for various occasions. Whether you prefer it warm and gooey or perfectly set at room temperature, it’s a crowd-pleaser.
For the most divine experience, this apple cake is best served within 1-2 days of baking. It’s absolutely heavenly when it’s still slightly warm from the oven, allowing the caramel to be wonderfully soft and luscious. The warmth of the cake against a cool accompaniment is particularly delightful. However, it’s equally delicious served at room temperature, making it a convenient option for potlucks or parties where immediate serving isn’t possible.
If you’re not planning to serve the entire cake right away, it’s crucial to store it properly to maintain its freshness and moisture. Gently cover the cake with plastic wrap or place it under a cake dome. Store it at room temperature. The apples and caramel layer act as a protective topping, helping to keep the cake moist. Avoid refrigerating the cake unless absolutely necessary, as it can dry out the cake texture. If you do refrigerate, allow it to come to room temperature or gently warm slices before serving.
When it comes to the extra caramel drizzle, it’s best to add it just before serving. You can spread some over the entire cake for a more impressive presentation, or simply offer it on the side, allowing guests to add a generous spoonful over their individual slices. This ensures the caramel topping remains vibrant and doesn’t get absorbed into the cake over time. And for that extra touch of indulgence, remember to offer whipped cream or vanilla ice cream – the perfect companions to this sweet, spiced, and apple-laden treat!
Get the Full Recipe for This Caramel Apple Upside-Down Cake
Ready to bake this show-stopping fall dessert? Below, you’ll find the complete, printable recipe card with all the measurements, detailed instructions, and nutritional information you need to create your own decadent caramel apple upside-down cake. This recipe was originally crafted for Go Bold With Butter, a fantastic resource for butter lovers everywhere. You can see the original post here. Enjoy the process of baking this delightful treat, and prepare for rave reviews!
Caramel Apple Upside-Down Cake
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Ingredients
Caramel apple layer:
- ¼ cup (56 grams) unsalted butter (56 grams)
- ½ cup (106 grams) packed light or dark brown sugar (106 grams)
- 2-3 (226 grams) medium apples , peeled and sliced ¼-inch thick (about 226 grams)
Cake layer:
- 1 ½ cup (180 grams) all-purpose flour (180 grams)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup (113 grams) unsalted butter , softened to room temperature (113 grams)
- 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar (200 grams)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup (75 grams) milk (75 grams)
Caramel sauce topping:
- 1 cup (213 grams) light or dark brown sugar (213 grams)
- ½ cup (113 grams) unsalted butter (113 grams)
- ¼ cup (56 grams) milk , whole milk (preferred) or 2% (56 grams)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream , for serving (optional)
Equipment
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350°F. Generously grease a round 9-inch baking pan (such as a cake pan) with a baking nonstick spray.
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In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and brown sugar together for about 2 minutes, stirring until combined. Mixture will still be slightly grainy. Pour into prepared baking pan.
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Arrange apple slices on top of caramel so that they’re slightly overlapping each other.
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In a small bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Set aside.
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With an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar on medium high speed until pale and creamy, about 3 minutes, scraping down the bowl as needed.
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Add the eggs one at a time, mixing after each. Mix in vanilla.
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Add flour mixture in 3 additions, alternating with the milk, and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined.
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Pour batter over apple slices and gently spread it into an even layer.
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Bake cake until top is golden brown and center springs back when gently pressed, about 30-35 minutes.
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Let cake stand in the pan about 10 minutes. While cake is still warm, run a knife around the edges and invert it onto a plate or cake stand (If you wait till cake is cool, it may not come cleanly out of the pan).
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To make the caramel sauce, add the brown sugar, butter, and milk in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil and simmer for 3-4 minutes, stirring often, until caramel is smooth and thickened. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract and salt.
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Top cake with additional caramel sauce. I like to spread some on top of the whole cake to make it look more impressive, and add another spoonful over individual slices when serving.
Video
Notes
- To ensure the cake comes out from the pan cleanly, line the pan with a circle of parchment paper in addition to greasing it with nonstick baking spray.
- While this cake is lovely all by itself, if you’d like to make it more indulgent, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream to slices for serving.
More Irresistible Caramel Apple Recipes to Enjoy This Fall
If you’ve fallen in love with the classic combination of caramel and apples, you’re in luck! This delightful duo lends itself beautifully to a variety of other desserts perfect for autumn and beyond. Explore these additional recipes to satisfy your caramel apple cravings and expand your fall baking repertoire.
Whether you’re looking for a handheld treat, a no-bake wonder, or another baked sensation, these caramel apple recipes are sure to delight. Each one brings a unique twist to the beloved flavor combination, promising warmth, sweetness, and a touch of fall magic to your dessert table.
We hope this comprehensive guide has inspired you to bake this incredible Caramel Apple Upside-Down Cake. It’s a dessert that truly captures the spirit of the season with its rich flavors, comforting aromas, and stunning presentation. Happy baking, and enjoy every delightful bite of your homemade fall masterpiece!