This is the kind of cake that smells like fall — buttery apples, brown sugar caramel, and cinnamon-spiced vanilla cake all baked into one stunning upside-down beauty. Flip it out of the pan and let those golden apple slices shine!
It’s the perfect cake for cozy weekends, Thanksgiving tables, or when you want a classic with a twist. Bonus: it’s just as good (maybe better?) the next day.
Want more cozy apple bakes? Try my Apple Bread Pudding or Caramel Apple Snack Cake too!
📝 Ingredients
Topping:
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
Cake:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup milk
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and parchment-line a 9″ round cake pan.
2. Make topping: Melt butter and brown sugar in a pan. Pour into cake pan. Arrange apple slices on top.
3. Mix dry ingredients: Whisk flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
4. Cream butter & sugar: In a separate bowl, beat softened butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla.
5. Combine: Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk to wet ingredients, mixing gently.
6. Assemble: Pour batter over apples and smooth the top.
7. Bake: 40–45 minutes, until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
8. Cool & flip: Let cool 10 minutes, then invert onto plate. Peel off parchment gently.
🍽 Serving Tips
- Serve warm slices with whipped cream or ice cream.
- Dust with powdered sugar for a simple finish.
- Pair with hot apple cider or chai for the ultimate cozy combo.
🌟 Variations
- Add a pinch of cardamom to the cake batter.
- Use pears instead of apples for a twist.
- Drizzle with caramel sauce after flipping.
😬 Troubleshooting
- Cake stuck? Let it cool a bit more, then try a warm towel under the pan to release.
- Too wet? Apples may have been extra juicy — slice thinner next time.
- Dry cake? Slightly underbake or swap 2 tbsp of milk for sour cream.
🧊 Storage
- Room Temp: Store covered for 1–2 days.
- Fridge: Store up to 4–5 days.
- Reheat: Warm slices in microwave or oven.
Apple Upside-Down Cake
Ingredients
Topping:
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 apples peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
Cake:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and parchment-line a 9″ round cake pan.
- Make topping: Melt butter and brown sugar in a pan. Pour into cake pan. Arrange apple slices on top.
- Mix dry ingredients: Whisk flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
- Cream butter & sugar: In a separate bowl, beat softened butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla.
- Combine: Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk to wet ingredients, mixing gently.
- Assemble: Pour batter over apples and smooth the top.
- Bake: 40–45 minutes, until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool & flip: Let cool 10 minutes, then invert onto plate. Peel off parchment gently.
Notes
- Best served slightly warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
- Use Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala apples for best flavor.
Let me know how your flip goes! Tag me with your glorious golden apple spirals — I need to see those cozy bakes! 🍎
