Apple Upside-Down Cake

When you have a lot of leftover apples—whether it’s from a recent trip to the apple orchard or a large bag of apples sitting in your fridge—and can’t decide which of the delicious apple recipes to make, consider baking this apple upside-down cake recipe. Similar to a pineapple upside-down cake, the bottom layer of the pan is covered in slices of apple in a buttery, caramel-like sauce that sticks to the cake. It creates a delectable topping for a cake without any extra effort. Be sure to grab your round cake pan or pie pan for this dish and let it sit for 10 minutes before flipping it over. No one wants an upside-down cake tragedy after all of that hard work!

Apple Upside-Down Cake Ingredients

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• Butter: Butter is melted and added to the bottom of the pan to create the sugary sauce at the bottom and is also mixed into the cake batter.
• Brown sugar: Sprinkled on the bottom of the pan with the butter, the brown sugar creates a caramel-like sauce that coats the apple upside-down cake when you flip it over.
• Apples: Use medium-sized tart apples that have been peeled and sliced thin to layer at the bottom of the cake pan.
• Walnuts: Chopped walnuts are added to the topping to add a salty crunch to this cake. If you’re not a fan of nuts you can always skip adding them.
• All-purpose flour and sugar: Both of these are added to the cake batter to create the base texture and flavor for this dish.
• Eggs: Eggs are added to this cake to create a binding texture and add more fat to the dish.
• Baking powder and soda: Both leavening agents are used to create the fluffy texture of this cake.
• Cinnamon: Cinnamon pairs well with the apples and the caramel-like topping for this cake.
• Buttermilk: The fatty flavor of this cake is enhanced with a tangy buttermilk.
• Sour cream: Using sour cream in a cake creates that moist texture that we desire for a slice of cake.
• Apple brandy or rum: Feel free to add a teaspoon of apple brandy or rum in this cake to elevate the flavor.

Directions

Step 1: Prepare the bottom of the pan

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Pour the melted butter into an ungreased 9-inch round baking pan. Sprinkle the bottom evenly with 1/2 cup of brown sugar, then arrange the apple slices in a single layer over brown sugar. Layer the walnuts and the reaming brown sugar on top.

Editor’s Tip: Don’t have a round baking pan? Use a round pie pan instead!

Step 2: Mix the cake ingredients

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In a medium-sized bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon; set aside. In a large bowl or a standing mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until it’s light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time until they are fully incorporated. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, then beat slowly as you alternate adding  the buttermilk and the sour cream until everything is incorporated. If desired, add the brandy or rum.

Step 3: Bake, cool and flip

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Spoon the batter into the prepared baking pan and bake at 350°F for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool the cake for 10 minutes before inverting it onto a serving plate. Serve warm!

Test Kitchen Tip: Place a baking sheet on the rack below the cake to catch any juices from the cake might bubble over.

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Apple Upside-Down Cake Variations

• Drizzle caramel sauce: Drizzle a homemade salted caramel sauce on top of your warm slice for a fun fall-themed twist on this cake.
• Add vanilla extract: Enhance the flavor of this cake by adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste to your cake batter mix.
• Swap brandy with apple cider: Have a container of fresh apple cider on hand? Use a teaspoon of that in your cake batter instead of a brandy or rum to really enhance the apple flavor of this cake.

How to Store Apple Upside-Down Cake

The last thing you want is for your upside-down apple cake to dry out in the fridge! Be sure to cover it and store it in an airtight container to retain as much moisture as possible. Slices of the cake will last in the fridge for  two to three days before it starts to lose that moist texture.

Can you freeze apple upside-down cake?

Yes! You can freeze apple upside-down cake for up to three months. Wrap the cake in a plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil before placing in the fridge. Thaw it at room temperature for a couple hours or in the fridge overnight when it’s time to defrost.

Apple Upside-Down Cake Tips

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Do you wait for an upside-down cake to cool before flipping?

Yes, but not for long. You should wait 10 minutes for an upside-down cake to cool before flipping it over. Cover the bottom of the pan with a clean plate, then with protected hands pinch the ends of the cake pan and the plate together and flip it over. The cake should slide right onto the plate. Scrape any of the leftover sauce in the pan on top of the cake before slicing and serving. If you’re afraid of your apple upside-down cake sticking to the pan, line the bottom with parchment paper.

Why is my upside-down cake so soggy?

If an upside-down apple cake has too much liquid at the bottom it will come out rather soggy. Be sure not to add more liquid (or fruit) than the recipe calls for.

Why is my apple upside-down cake not done?

Since the cake is layered on top of fruit, it might take a bit longer to cook than traditional cakes. If the cake is not finished after the allotted 30 to 35 minutes, place it back in the oven and check the doneness of the cake every 5 minutes using a toothpick until it comes out clean.