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Delicious apple upside down cake topped with caramelized apples and a golden crust

My Best Apple Upside Down Cake

A timeless heirloom cake featuring golden-brown apples caramelized atop a fluffy, moist cake, perfect for family gatherings and seasonal celebrations.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Cake, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 250
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Topping
  • 3 large apples, peeled, cored, and sliced (choose your favorite variety for sweetness) Using fresh, seasonal apples enhances the flavor immensely.
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the Cake
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted for fluffiness Substitute with gluten-free flour blend if required.
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar For a healthier twist, substitute with honey.
  • 2 large eggs For a vegan option, use 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce per egg.
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup milk, room temperature For dairy-free, use non-dairy milk.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a 9-inch round cake pan, melt the butter over low heat. Once melted, sprinkle the brown sugar and cinnamon evenly, stirring until combined. Arrange the apple slices beautifully in a circular pattern over the sugar mixture.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt until well blended.
  4. In a large bowl, cream together the granulated sugar and eggs using a hand mixer until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  5. Mix in the vanilla extract followed by the milk until smooth.
  6. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
  7. Carefully pour the cake batter over the apple topping, smoothing it out to ensure even distribution.
Baking
  1. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean.
  2. Once baked, let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Carefully invert onto a serving plate to reveal the apple layer on top.

Notes

Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for longer freshness.