This Apple Upside Down Cake combines tender apples soaked in a rich, buttery caramel sauce and a soft cake batter baked right overtop. The cake is flipped upside down, revealing the gorgeous gooey caramel apples on top for the perfect fall dessert!
I’m a sucker for warm, gooey desserts, and this Apple Upside Down Cake is no exception! If you’ve got some apples lying around, you’re good to go! The rest of the ingredients are easily found in the pantry.
This recipe starts with a homemade caramel sauce that goes in the bottom of a pie dish. The sliced apples lay right into the sauce, soaking up all that caramel-y goodness.
The cake is infused with vanilla and warm apple pie spice, which is poured on top and baked until golden.
The best part of this recipe is flipping the cake upside down, revealing those tender caramelized apples that are begging to be topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
For more fall favorites, check out this Apple Fritter Cake, Apple Coffee Cake with Crumb Topping Recipe, and Praline-Glazed Apple Bundt Cake!
Why we love this Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake:
- One bowl: You can forget about doing a pile of dishes after this recipe! You only need one bowl to make the batter.
- Perfect fall combo: Tender apples rest in a homemade caramel sauce that infuses the cake with fall flavors.
- Beautiful presentation: The apples on top of the cake produce the perfect presentation that looks super fancy but is so easy to do!
Apple Upside Down Cake Ingredients:
- Unsalted butter: This adds richness to both the caramel sauce and cake. I always recommend unsalted so you can control the salt levels yourself.
- Brown sugar: Gives the caramel sauce that deep, molasses-like sweetness and contributes to the gooey texture.
- Heavy cream: Cream adds richness and helps create that velvety texture that makes the caramel sauce extra luxurious!
- Baking apple: You’ll want to use a tart apple like Granny Smith for this recipe. They hold up well in baking and don’t produce a ton of extra juice.
- Applesauce: Adds moisture to the cake without making it too heavy. It enhances the apple flavor and keeps the cake light and soft.
- Egg: The egg binds everything together and helps the cake rise, producing a fluffy texture.
- Vanilla extract: Adds a warm, aromatic flavor that provides depth.
- All-purpose flour: Gives structure and produces a tender crumb. You can use whole wheat flour for a slightly heartier version, but the texture may be denser.
- Apple pie spice: This blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice adds that comforting, warm flavor to the cake. If you don’t have apple pie spice, cinnamon will work just fine too!
- Leavening agents: Baking powder and baking soda make the cake rise and give it that light, airy texture.
How to make an Apple Upside Down Cake:
With 15 minutes of prep time, you can make this show-stopping Apple Upside Down Cake! Check out the recipe card for the full list of recipe instructions.
- In a small saucepan, melt butter, brown sugar, and cream to make the caramel sauce.
- Peel and slice the apples.
- Pour the caramel sauce into the baking dish and arrange apple slices on top. Any pattern will work!
- Pour the cake batter over the apples, spreading it evenly. Bake until cooked through.
Which are the best apples to use for baking?
I like to choose nice, firm apples that are a mix of tart and sweet for baking. You definitely don’t want to use apples that are too soft as they will break down during the cooking process, and you won’t have those same beautiful slices.
My favorite apples for baking are Granny Smith, McIntosh, and Honeycrisp.
How to store leftover Apple Upside Down Cake:
Leftover cake can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
If you want to keep it fresh for longer, you can refrigerate it for up to 5 days. Just reheat in the oven or microwave before serving for that fresh-baked taste.
Can I freeze Apple Upside Down Cake?
This is one apple dessert that freezes perfectly and will reheat easily as well!
Simply cool to room temperature after baking, then cover the pan in plastic wrap and foil (my Grandma always double-wrapped to prevent freezer burn, and I still do!). Freeze on a flat shelf so that the sauce doesn’t run. It will last in the freezer for up to 3 months!
To reheat, leave at room temperature for 3-4 hours until thawed (or mostly thawed), then remove plastic wrap and replace the foil (or a lid). Place in a 300-degree oven for 20 minutes or until heated through. Serve.
More easy apple dessert recipes:
- Apple Crumble Pie — we love a crumble topping on anything!
- Cinnamon Apple Bread — perfect for breakfast or snacks.
- Apple Crisp Blondies — a mash up we love!
- Cinnamon Apple Muffins Recipe — perfect for on the go.
Apple Upside Down Cake
written by Ashley Fehr
Ingredients
Caramel Sauce
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ¾ cup brown sugar, packed (105 grams)
- ¼ cup heavy cream
Cake
- 1 baking apple, peeled and sliced
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed (70 grams)
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup all purpose flour, (125 grams)
- 1 teaspoon apple pie spice or cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
Caramel Sauce
- In a small pot, combine butter, brown sugar and cream and cook over medium heat until melted, stirring often.
- Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly, and boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat.
Cake
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Lightly grease an 8″ round cake pan or pie plate. Pour half of the caramel sauce into the bottom and reserve the other half for topping.
- Arrange apple slices along the bottom of the pan in the caramel sauce.
- In a large bowl, whisk together butter and brown sugar until smooth. Add applesauce, egg and vanilla and whisk until combined.
- Add flour, apple pie spice, baking powder, baking soda and salt and stir just until combined. Gently drop the cake batter over the apples and spread to cover.
- Place a piece of foil under the cake pan and bake at 350 degrees F for 40 minutes or until cake is set and dry (a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean).
- Let sit for 10 minutes before inverting onto a large plate. Serve with additional caramel sauce, warmed, if desired.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Lynne says
Sounds delicious. I may make this for my book group tomorrow evening as it’s my turn to host 🙂