Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake

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Welcoming this cool September Monday with this oh-so easy and moist Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake. If you’ve been looking for something to do with fresh in-season apples, it’s this cake! Think, lightly spiced sour cream spice cake, topped with tart Granny Smith apples and a brown sugar syrup to create a bite that is insanely delicious and perfectly sweet. Enjoy this upside down cake warm, right out of the oven, with a scoop of sweet vanilla ice cream. Each and every bite is roll your eyes back delicious! Truly the perfect dessert to welcome in apple season.

About The Recipe

I’m really not sure there’s anything better than Fall baking, you know? It’s probably the most relaxing activities to enjoy all week long. I mean, what could be better than the smells of warming cinnamon, sweet apples, and hints of vanilla on a chilly Fall afternoon?

And, while the weather here in Texas hasn’t really started to cool down yet, my mom and I are definitely cranking up the A/C and making it feel like Fall.

Honestly, while I love the summer months, Fall is one of our favorite things. There’s just something so cozy about it!

Last week, we shared our Maple Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars to really kick off an early start to all things Fall baking. But, as much as I love pumpkin, there is nothing I love more than the sweet smell of cinnamon and apples baking in the oven.

Today, my mom and I wanted to share a more more simple but no less delicious recipe, as well as give apples some much-needed love. In my opinion, caramel apples are the epitome of Fall! So, what better recipe to whip up than a simple upside down cake?!

Plus, in the past, you all have shown us how much you love upside down cakes. When we shared our Pecan Pie Upside Down Cake, it was our top recipe for MONTHS! Which meant, we knew that y’all wanted more.

Believe it or not, this cake is actually even EASIER than our pecan pie one. How? Well, there’s actually no sauces or syrups that needs to be made! That’s right. Instead, a simple brown sugar and water mixture creates that classic flavor atop these apples.

It’s seriously SO simple, but so good.

Though, one of my absolute favorite things about this cake is that it tastes even better than it looks.

Sweet notes of brown sugar mingle with a lightly spiced cake and bursts of juicy green apple. It is the perfect cake to serve all season long!

What is an Upside Down Cake?

An upside down cake may sound like an odd thing, but trust me, it’s one of the most delicious desserts out there! The term, “upside down cake” comes from the cake being served…well, upside-down!

It is typically made with citrus fruits that are placed on the bottom of the pan before the cake batter is added. Once baked, the cake is turned out of the pan and…what was once on the bottom is now on the top!

Reasons You Will Love This Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake

• No electric mixers needed! Just two bowls and a whisk.
• Every bite literally tastes like Fall!
• Uses apples fresh from your weekend of apple picking (or your local grocery store!).
• Rich, tender, full of flavor, and SO. DELICIOUS.
• A real crowd-pleaser.
• Effortlessly pretty.

Equipment Needed

• Mixing Bowls
• Whisk
• 8 inch Round Cake Pan
• Rubber Spatula
• Cake Tester

Ingredients

Full ingredient amounts and instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

For The Topping:

• Brown Sugar – By using brown sugar, it adds the caramel-y flavor to the apples.
• Water – Mixing the sugar with water is essential, as it would become like hard candy atop your cake without it.
• Granny Smith Apples – For this recipe, you can really use any baking apple you like! We opted to use granny smith, as they are most commonly used for caramel apples.

For The Cake:

• All-Purpose Flour – Creates the perfect structure and texture for this cake.
• Brown Sugar – Adds sweetness and more depth of flavor.
• Apple Pie Spice – Not too much, but just enough to really help enhance the flavor of the apples on top of the cake.
• Baking Powder – Provides lift to give this cake a light and airy texture.
• Baking Soda – A second leavening to ensure the perfect rise in this cake!
• Salt – Cuts some of the sweetness, while also enhancing the flavor of the cake.
• Large Eggs – For this recipe, you will need two large eggs.
• Vegetable Oil – Keeps this cake perfectly moist.
• Sour Cream – Makes this cake oh-so tender.
• Vanilla Extract – Balances the flavors!

How To Make This Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake

Step 1: Prepare topping

Dissolve brown sugar in water.

Pour in prepared pan. Arrange apple slices in syrup. Set aside.

Step 2: Make cake batter

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, brown sugar, apple pie spice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, oil, sour cream, and vanilla.

Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Mix well.

Step 3: Bake

Pour batter over apple mixture. Bake for 50-55 minutes, or until done.

Allow to cool before turn out.

FAQ’s and Substitutions

Can I use a different apple for this recipe?

Of course! As long as it is a baking apple (honeycrisp, pink ladies, etc.), you can use any varietal that you love.

Why is my cake tough?

If your cake is tough/rubbery, this is most likely due to over-mixing. Once you add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, try keeping mixing to a minimum!

Why is my cake dry?

A dry cake is never good! This is most likely due to over-baking. It’s always best to start at the lowest time and use a cake tester or a toothpick to check to see if the cake is baked. You can also check your oven temperature to ensure it’s not running too hot!

Why did my cake stick?

While this is not common, this can happen! If the cake pan is not properly prepared beforehand (lined and greased), the cake may stick. Be sure to follow the directions in the recipe card to ensure that your cake doesn’t stick! Though, if it is stuck, you can run a thin bladed knife around the edge of the pan to help loosen the cake.

What To Serve With This Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake

Looking for extra flavor? Here are some fun topping ideas to add to your slice of cake before serving!

• Caramel Apple Ice Cream
• Cinnamon Ice Cream
• Vanilla Ice Cream
• Caramel Sauce
• Chantilly Cream

How To Store

Got leftovers? This cake store’s really well covered and in the fridge for 3-5 days. If you want it to last a little longer (or simply are planning ahead!), this cake freezes really well!

Once the cake is baked and cooled, place the cake on a lined sheet pan and place in the freezer for 2-3 hours (or until frozen solid). Once frozen, wrap and store in a freezer safe zip-top bag. It should keep for 2-3 months. To thaw, place in the fridge overnight!

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Expert Tips

• You can use any kind of baking apple for this cake.
• Be careful to not over-mix your cake.
• It’s best to slowly ladle the cake batter over the apple slices, making sure that it’s level and even, especially around the edges!
• This cake needs to be baked in an 8-inch round by 3-inch tall cake pan, as it may rise quite a bit while baking. Place a sheet pan underneath the cake pan in the oven, just to be sure that, if any cooks over the pan, it doesn’t go into your oven!
• Sometimes with this cake, it can be difficult to tell when it’s done by using a cake-tester or toothpick. If you have an instant read thermometer, it’s best to use that! The internal temperature of the cake should read 200℉ when fully baked.
• If any of the apple slices stick to the pan after you turn the cake out, no worries! Simply place it back onto the cake. Just be very careful, as it will be hot!

When you make these Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake, leave a comment down below and/or give this recipe a rating! We love hearing from you and answering any questions you might have! Also, be sure to tag us on social media and hashtag it #BakersTable.

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