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Caramel Apple Upside-Down Cake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 77 reviews

This Easy Caramel Apple Upside-Down Cake is a delightful and crowd-pleasing dessert featuring tender apples caramelized with brown sugar and butter, baked beneath a fluffy vanilla cake. Perfect for cozy gatherings or a comforting treat, this cake combines the warm flavors of caramel and apple in a simple yet elegant presentation.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Caramel Topping:

  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
  • 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 2 large apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced

For the Cake:

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup whole milk

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan with butter or cooking spray and lightly dust with flour to prevent sticking.
  2. Make the Caramel Topping: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 1/2 cup butter. Add the light brown sugar and stir constantly until the mixture gently boils and becomes smooth, about 1 minute. Pour the caramel evenly into the bottom of the prepared cake pan.
  3. Arrange the Apples: Arrange the thinly sliced apples in a circular pattern over the caramel in the pan, overlapping slices slightly for an attractive design.
  4. Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
  5. Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use a hand or stand mixer to cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy, which ensures an airy cake texture.
  6. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, fully incorporating each before adding the next, then mix in the vanilla extract to infuse flavor.
  7. Combine Dry Ingredients and Milk: Alternately add the flour mixture and whole milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix gently just until combined to avoid a tough cake.
  8. Spoon the Batter into the Pan: Carefully spread the batter evenly over the arranged apples in the pan, ensuring the apples are fully covered.
  9. Bake It: Bake the cake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the cake is golden.
  10. Cool and Invert: Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 10 minutes. Run a knife around the edges to loosen, then invert carefully onto a serving plate to reveal the caramelized apples on top.
  11. Serve and Enjoy: Serve the cake warm or at room temperature. Optionally, pair it with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for added indulgence.

Notes

  • Use tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best flavor contrast with the sweet caramel.
  • Be careful not to overmix the batter; mixing just until combined keeps the cake tender.
  • Allow the cake to cool briefly before inverting to avoid breaking the caramel layer.
  • Store leftovers covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for 4 days.
  • Reheat individual slices lightly for a warm dessert experience.

Keywords: Caramel Apple Upside-Down Cake, Caramel Cake, Apple Cake, Easy Dessert, Fall Dessert, Upside-Down Cake

Find it online: https://islawhite.com/caramel-apple-upside-down-cake-recipe/