Introduction

This Apple Upside Down Cake is a delightful twist on a classic dessert, featuring tender apples caramelized with brown sugar and butter. It’s moist, flavorful, and perfect for showcasing the natural sweetness of Honeycrisp apples.

A round upside-down apple cake with a golden-brown caramelized top layer showing thin, glossy apple slices arranged in a fan pattern from the outer edge to the center, sitting on a white plate. Two scoops of white ice cream topped with a drizzle of caramel sauce sit in the middle of the cake. Around the plate are a halved apple with its light cream flesh and red skin, a whole red and yellow apple, a glass filled with cinnamon sticks, a small pile of cinnamon sticks on the white marbled surface, and a black spoon with some white sauce inside. A striped cloth is partially visible on the corner. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1/4 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup light brown sugar
3 Honeycrisp apples
1 ¼ cups all purpose flour (properly measured)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup unsalted butter (melted)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Step 2: Add 1/4 cup butter to a 9-inch round cake pan or springform pan. Place it in the oven for a few minutes until the butter has melted.
Step 3: Sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over the melted butter in the bottom of the pan.
Step 4: Cut the apples into half circles about 1/4-inch thick. There’s no need to peel the apples. Arrange them in concentric circles on top of the brown sugar, overlapping slightly until the pan bottom is fully covered. Set aside.
Step 5: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
Step 6: Add the milk, melted butter, vanilla extract, and egg to the dry ingredients. Whisk until just combined.
Step 7: Pour the batter gently over the arranged apple slices, smoothing it evenly from edge to edge.
Step 8: Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 9: Run a knife around the edge of the pan to loosen the cake. Allow it to cool to room temperature, then carefully invert onto a serving plate.

Tips & Variations

Use crisp, sweet-tart apples like Honeycrisp or Fuji to balance the cake’s sweetness and add texture.
For a richer flavor, sprinkle a touch of nutmeg along with the cinnamon in the batter.
If you don’t have a springform pan, a heavy-duty nonstick cake pan works well—just be very careful when flipping the cake.
Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra special treat.

Storage

Store any leftover cake covered tightly at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm individual slices gently in the microwave for 15–20 seconds or in a low oven until heated through.

How to Serve

The image shows a round upside-down apple cake on a white plate, with a slice removed showing the soft, light brown cake layer beneath. The top layer has arranged thin apple slices baked in a caramel glaze, giving a shiny golden-brown color. Two scoops of melting vanilla ice cream sit on the center of the cake with a drizzle of caramel sauce on top, adding creamy white and deep amber colors. Around the plate, there are two halves of a red and yellow apple, some cinnamon sticks, a metal spoon with a white sauce, and a whole apple, all set on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other types of apples?

Yes, you can substitute other firm apples like Granny Smith, Fuji, or Gala. Just be sure they hold their shape well during baking.

Do I need to peel the apples?

No, peeling is not necessary. The apple skins soften during baking and add texture and color to the cake.

Apple Upside Down Cake Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 133 reviews

This classic Apple Upside Down Cake features tender honeycrisp apples caramelized in brown sugar and butter, topped with a moist, cinnamon-infused cake batter baked to golden perfection. Perfect for a cozy dessert or afternoon treat, this recipe combines simple ingredients with straightforward steps to create a deliciously impressive cake.

Author: Marco
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 8 servings 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Topping

1/4 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup light brown sugar
3 Honeycrisp apples, sliced into 1/4-inch thick half circles (no need to peel)

Cake Batter

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (properly measured)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the cake.
Melt Butter for Topping: Add 1/4 cup of unsalted butter to a 9-inch round cake pan or a springform pan, then place the pan in the oven for a few minutes until the butter is fully melted.
Add Brown Sugar: Sprinkle 1/2 cup light brown sugar evenly over the melted butter in the bottom of the pan to create the caramel base.
Prepare and Arrange Apples: Slice 3 Honeycrisp apples into 1/4-inch thick half circles without peeling. Arrange these slices in concentric circles on top of the brown sugar in the pan, overlapping slightly to cover the entire bottom.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon salt until well combined.
Add Wet Ingredients: Pour in 3/4 cup milk, 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1 large egg into the dry ingredients. Whisk gently until just combined to make a smooth batter.
Pour Batter Over Apples: Pour the batter evenly over the arranged apple slices in the pan. Use a spatula or spoon to smooth the batter from edge to edge to cover the apples completely.
Bake: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, indicating the cake is fully baked.
Cool and Serve: Remove the cake from the oven and run a knife around the edges to loosen it from the pan. Let the cake cool to room temperature in the pan, then carefully invert it onto a serving plate so the caramelized apples are on top. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

Honeycrisp apples are preferred for their sweet-tart flavor and firmness, but other crisp apples can be used.
No need to peel the apples; the skin adds texture and nutrients.
Ensure flour is properly measured by spooning it into the cup and leveling off with a knife for best results.
Let the cake cool before flipping to avoid breakage and allow the caramel topping to set.
For extra flavor, consider sprinkling a pinch of nutmeg or allspice into the batter along with cinnamon.
Use a springform pan if available for easier cake removal.
Serve warm or at room temperature, optionally with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

Keywords: Apple Upside Down Cake, caramelized apples, honeycrisp apple cake, cinnamon apple cake, baked apple dessert