This apple upside down cake is an easy dessert that you can enjoy all year round. Who says we have to wait until Fall to enjoy apple desserts right?! I think apple desserts are perfect for summer too!
The cake portion of the apple upside down cake is a simple cinnamon flavored cake. It's moist and doesn't over-power the top layer (which is definitely the best part!). The top part of the cake is made up of sliced granny smith apples that are nestled in a butter and brown sugar caramel sauce. Need I say more?!
I made this cake this morning and as I'm tying this, there's already a giant portion of the cake that's been devoured. 🙂 The kids were begging me to eat it all morning so I had to watch my back as I snapped the photos!
I make my apple upside down cake in a round pan but that's only because my serving platter is round. You can also easily make this in a square 8x8 pan if that's what you have. Just keep in mind that if you're going to flip the cake over, you'll have to have a plate or serving dish that fits over your baking dish.
Apple Upside Down Cake
Ingredients
The Topping
- 5 tablespoons butter
- ⅔ cup brown sugar
- 2 granny smith apples (peeled and cut into ½ inch slices)
The Cake
- ½ cup softened butter
- 1 cup white sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup whole milk
- 1 and ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325 degrees and spray your pan with non-stick spray or coat with butter. (I use either a round cake pan or an 8x8 square pan)
The Topping
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter and brown sugar together over medium heat and bring to a slow boil for 2 minutes then remove from heat.
- While your butter and brown sugar mixture is cooking, peel and slice the apples into ½ inch slices.
- When the butter and sugar mixture is ready, pour it into your prepared pan. Lay the apples on top of the mixture in a single layer.
The Cake
- in a large bowl, beat together the butter and white sugar until fluffy then add in the eggs and vanilla and beat again until combined. Stir in the milk and combine.
- Sprinkle the surface of the cake mixture with the all-purpose flour, then sprinkle in the cinnamon, baking powder, and salt. Stir everything together with a spatula just until combined.
- Pour the batter over the apples in the pan. The batter is not runny so do your best to spread it evenly to cover all the apples and come to the edges of the pan.
- Bake in the oven for 50-60 minutes. (The cake is done when a you can insert a toothpick in the center and it comes out clean)
- Let the cake cool for 15 minutes and while it's still warm, run a knife around the edges to make sure it's loosened from the pan.
- Place your serving dish or plate on top of the pan and carefully flip the cake over onto the dish. You may need to jiggle the pan slightly to get the cake to fall out. (I would suggest using oven mitts)
- Serve warm with whipped cream, or ice cream!
Rae says
I'm one of those people who love warm apple desserts in the fall. There's just something about the warm comforting flavors and spices that are so fall-ish to me. With that being said, my mom makes something VERY similar to this, and it's fantastic year-round.
Coco and Ash says
I love it in the fall too!! But I'm also a sucker for apple pie and apple cake in the summer! 🙂 Especially for the 4th of July!
Tracy | Baking Mischief says
You had me at granny smith apples and caramel sauce. That's one of my favorite combos, and this looks soooooo good! Wishing I had a slice with a big scoop of ice cream right now. 😉
Coco and Ash says
Thanks Tracy!! I wish I could send some over!
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables says
My husband loves apple desserts! This seems like the perfect summer treat. Can't wait to try it!
Coco and Ash says
Hope you get to try it!! Thank you!
Annemarie says
This is brilliant! I've tried pineapple upside down cake, but never apple. It looks fantastic.
Coco and Ash says
Thank you!! 😀
Sara says
I think this looks incredible! I love apples in cake an caramel, so I need to try this!
Coco and Ash says
Thank you Sara!!
Claudia Lamascolo says
my goodness this is the most mouth watering apple cake I have ever seen I just want to eat this right now! Bravo!
Coco and Ash says
Thanks so much Claudia!!
Celia says
Made it last night in a heart-shaped pan as a birthday cake for friend who can't eat chocolate. It was a huge hit! Many requests for the recipe - thank you!
Coco and Ash says
Awesome!! So glad you liked it! And I love the heart idea!
Celia says
question re butter. Sweet or salt?
Coco and Ash says
Either is fine. If you use salted butter, you can omit the salt in the recipe.
Tina says
I used Pink Lady apples and 2 % milk because that is what I had on hand. Made it for my husband for his birthday. He said it's the best cake I've ever made! Suggested it be the go- to for dessert pot lucks in the future... I think he's right!
Debr says
Great Post! Question, by 1/2 inch slice do you mean thickness, or length? thanks for the post
Coco and Ash says
Thickness 🙂 Thank you!
Joy says
How big is the baking tin you used? 8 inches?
Coco and Ash says
Yes 🙂