This Autumn Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake is the ultimate fall dessert that combines tender spiced cake with caramelized apples in a stunning presentation. This show-stopping recipe features layers of sweet, buttery caramel sauce topped with perfectly arranged apple slices and finished with a moist, cinnamon-spiced cake. The upside-down technique creates a gorgeous dessert where the caramelized apples become the beautiful top layer, making it perfect for autumn gatherings, Thanksgiving dinners, or any time you want to celebrate the flavors of fall with an impressive homemade treat.
Key Ingredients for Autumn Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake
For the Caramel Apple Topping:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 3 medium Honeycrisp or Granny Smith apples, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the Cake Batter:
- 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2/3 cup whole milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
How to Make Autumn Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake
This Autumn Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake delivers incredible fall flavors with surprisingly simple techniques. The rich caramel sauce perfectly complements the tender, spiced apples while the moist cake provides the perfect base. With just 20 minutes of prep time and 45 minutes of baking, you’ll have an elegant dessert that tastes like hours of work.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan or cast-iron skillet thoroughly with butter. This prevents sticking when you flip the cake later.
Step 2: Make the Caramel Sauce
In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the 1/2 cup butter completely. Add the brown sugar and stir continuously for 2-3 minutes until the mixture bubbles and becomes smooth. Remove from heat and quickly whisk in the heavy cream, vanilla extract, and salt until well combined. Pour this caramel mixture evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan.
Step 3: Prepare and Arrange the Apples
Peel the apples and remove cores, then slice into 1/4-inch thick rounds. Try to keep slices uniform for even cooking. Sprinkle the apple slices with cinnamon, then arrange them in overlapping circles over the caramel sauce, starting from the outside edge and working toward the center. Fill any gaps with smaller apple pieces.
Step 4: Make the Cake Batter
In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, granulated sugar, softened butter, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Using an electric mixer on low speed, blend ingredients until they resemble coarse crumbs. In a separate bowl, whisk together milk, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the milk mixture to the flour mixture, beating on medium speed for 2 minutes until the batter is smooth and well combined. Don’t overmix, as this can make the cake tough.
Step 6: Assemble and Bake
Carefully spoon the cake batter over the arranged apples, spreading gently with a spatula to cover completely without disturbing the apple arrangement. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake portion comes out clean and the top is golden brown.
Step 7: Cool and Flip
Allow the cake to cool in the pan for exactly 5 minutes – no longer, or the caramel will stick. Run a knife around the edges to loosen, then place a serving plate upside down over the pan. Quickly and confidently flip both the pan and plate together. Let the pan sit for 1 minute before carefully lifting it off to reveal your beautiful upside-down cake.
Why You’ll Love This Autumn Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake
This Autumn Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake showcases the best of fall baking with its gorgeous presentation of caramelized apples glistening in rich, buttery caramel sauce. Making this impressive dessert at home costs significantly less than purchasing similar cakes from bakeries, while allowing you to control the quality of ingredients and sweetness level.
The combination of warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, tender cake, and perfectly caramelized apples creates an irresistible flavor profile that surpasses even the most beloved apple pie recipes. Ready to bring the cozy flavors of autumn to your kitchen?
What to Serve Autumn Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake With
This decadent cake pairs beautifully with a dollop of freshly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream to balance the rich caramel flavors. For beverages, serve alongside hot apple cider, spiced chai tea, or rich coffee to enhance the warm autumn spices.
Consider offering it as the finale to a fall dinner menu featuring roasted turkey, or butternut squash soup. The cake also complements a cheese board featuring sharp cheddar or creamy brie, creating an elegant dessert course for entertaining.
Top Tips for Perfecting Autumn Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake
Choose firm apples like Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Braeburn that hold their shape during baking without becoming mushy. If your caramel sauce seems too thick, add an extra tablespoon of cream; if too thin, cook it for an additional minute before removing from heat.
Timing is crucial when flipping – wait exactly 5 minutes after removing from the oven, as waiting longer causes the caramel to harden and stick to the pan. For even browning, rotate the cake halfway through baking time. If you don’t have a 9-inch round pan, this recipe works equally well in a 9-inch cast-iron skillet, which actually helps create more even caramelization. Room temperature ingredients blend more easily, so take your egg and milk out 30 minutes before baking.
Storing and Reheating Tips
Store your Autumn Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days. The caramel may absorb slightly into the cake over time, but the flavor remains delicious. For longer storage, wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat refrigerated cake, warm slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in a 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes until just warmed through. Frozen slices should be thawed overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Avoid reheating the entire cake, as this can make the texture soggy.
Final Thoughts
This Autumn Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary dessert that captures the essence of fall in every bite. The combination of caramelized apples, rich sauce, and spiced cake creates a memorable treat that’s perfect for any autumn celebration.
try also :
- Lentil and Sweet Potato Salad
- Cranberry Brie Bites
- Crispy Sweet Potato Bites
- Matcha Cake Recipe
- find more in Pinterest
Autumn Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake FAQs
Q: Can I use different types of apples?
A: Yes! Firm varieties like Gala, Fuji, or Pink Lady work well. Avoid Red Delicious or McIntosh as they become too soft when baked.
Q: What if my cake sticks to the pan?
A: This usually happens if you wait too long to flip. Next time, flip after exactly 5 minutes of cooling and ensure you grease the pan thoroughly.
Q: Can I make this cake ahead of time?
A: Absolutely! This cake actually tastes better the next day as the flavors meld together. Store covered at room temperature.
Q: Why did my caramel turn hard?
A: Hard caramel typically results from overcooking or waiting too long to flip the cake. The residual heat continues cooking the caramel even after removing from oven.
Q: Can I substitute the heavy cream in the caramel?
A: You can use half-and-half, but heavy cream provides the richest texture and prevents the caramel from seizing.