The Best Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake is easy, moist and flavorful comfort food! Served with whipped or ice cream, this dessert will not disappoint!
This is another recipe from my close friend and fellow foodie Marcel who recently passed away. This is the Best Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake we have ever tasted. Ever since she first served it to us we have been making it regularly, whether apples are in season or not!
I prefer to use a tart apple like granny smith but feel free to use your favorite. I haven’t used an apple yet that didn’t turn out beautifully! That being said, there are some apples that don’t cook as well as others and should be avoided for recipes like this.
The Washington Apple Commission has a fabulous list, including pictures, of every apple. There is a brief history and description of each and most importantly each of their best uses. It comes in handy when deciding which apple to use in a recipe and which is recommended for baking. Also, which apple freezes better than others.
I have made apple desserts in the past and the apples have just disappeared. They couldn’t handle the heat from the cooking or baking process. Some apples just don’t hold their shape as well as others and this apple resource has definitely come in handy!
Best Apples to Use for Baking
My favorites are as follows. These apples are fairly common in my part of the world but for a more complete list you can always check here.
Granny Smith apples are tart and sour and go beautifully with a sweet dessert like this.
Fuji, Gala, Golden Delicious and Honeycrisp apples are sweet and also taste wonderful in desserts like this.
Ingredients in The Best Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake
Apple Layer
- apples
- butter
- brown sugar
- cinnamon
Cake Layer
- flour
- sugar
- brown sugar
- salt
- baking powder
- sour cream
- eggs
- butter
- vanilla
- butter or cooking spray
How to make The Best Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake
Prepare your 8-9 inch round or square pan with butter or cooking spray.
Peel, core and cut apples into 1/4 – 1/2 inch slices.
Melt butter in a large skillet and add brown sugar and combine with a wooden spoon.
Add apple slices and cinnamon.
Empty apple mixture in to prepared pan and lightly press into a level layer.
Mix flour, baking powder, and salt in medium bowl.
In a large bowl combine sugar, brown sugar, butter, sour cream, vanilla and eggs.
Add flour mixture to sugar mixture.
Pour batter on top of the apples.
Bake until cake is golden brown.
Let cool in pan for 30 minutes.
Take a butter knife and push in around edges to loosen the cake.
Place wire rack on top of the cake pan.
Holding rack tightly, flip the pan over.
If any fruit sticks to the bottom of the pan just remove it and put it back on the top of cake.
Place cake on serving plate. Serve with whipped cream or ice cream on top.
If you are interested, have a look at our Caramel Peach Upside Down Cake. I love it just as much as The Best Apple Upside Down Cake! Really. They are both absolutely wonderful.
I also love apples and make several apple dishes you might be interested in trying. I truly love them all and am excited to hear what you think!
Caramel Apple Pecan Raisin Crisp
Other Cakes to Try
Caramel Peach Upside Down Cake
Peaches and Cream Stuffed Cake
The Best Strawberry Banana Cake
Grandma’s Chocolate Eggnog Pudding Cake
The Best Dairy Free Chocolate Cake
Grandma’s Chocolate Orange Cake
The Best Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake
Ingredients
Apple
- 4-6 apples, granny smith,peeled, cored, sliced
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 tsp cinnamon, ground to taste
Cake
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 large eggs
- 6 tblsp butter, unsalted, room temperature or 3/4 of a stick
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- butter or cooking spray for pan
Instructions
Apple
-
Prepare your 8-9 inch round or square pan with butter or cooking spray. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Peel, core and cut apples into 1/4 - 1/2 inch slices. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add brown sugar and combine with a wooden spoon. When foaming subsides, add apple slices and cinnamon. Stir regularly for 8-10 minutes. Empty apple mixture in to prepared pan and lightly press into a level layer. Set aside.
Cake
-
Mix flour, baking powder, and salt in medium bowl. Set aside. In a large bowl combine sugar, brown sugar, butter, sour cream, vanilla and eggs. Add flour mixture and mix until combined. Pour batter into pan on top of the apples and spread evenly. Bake until cake is golden brown and toothpick inserted into center comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes. Let pan cool for 30 minutes. Take a butter knife and push in around edges to loosen the cake. Place wire rack on top of the cake pan. Holding rack tightly, flip the pan over. I usually do this over the sink. The cake usually drips a little. Then place the wire rack over a baking sheet or large plate. If any fruit sticks to the bottom of the pan just remove it and put it back on the top of cake. Place cake on serving plate and serve warm with whipped cream on top.
Recipe Notes
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