Caramel Apple Upside-Down Cake

Annalise, Completely Delicious

This caramel apple upside-down cake is the ultimate dessert for fall with caramelized apples baked under a lightly spiced cake and extra caramel sauce for drizzling.
1 hr 30 min Prep Time
60 min Cook Time
  • Prep Time: 1 hr 30 min
  • Cook Time: 60 min
  • Servings: One 9-inch cake

Servings: One 9-inch cake

Ingredients

  • Caramel Apple Layer:

  • 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter
  • 2/3 cup brown sugar, lightly packed
  • 2 medium apples, cored, peeled and thinly sliced
  • Cake Layer:

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • Caramel Sauce:

  • 1 cup brown sugar, lightly packed
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350°F. Generously grease a round 9-inch baking pan.

Step 2

Melt butter and brown sugar in small sauce pan over medium heat, stirring until smooth. Pour into prepared pan.

Step 3

Arrange apple slices on top of caramel so they slightly overlap.

Step 4

To make the cake, combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt in a small bowl; set aside.

Step 5

Beat butter and sugar on medium high speed with an electric mixer until pale and creamy, about 3 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, mixing after each. Mix in vanilla.

Step 6

Add flour mixture in 3 additions, alternating with milk, and ending with flour mixture. Mix until just combined.

Step 7

Pour batter over apple slices and gently spread into an even layer.

Step 8

Bake cake until top is golden brown and center springs back when gently pressed, about 45-55 minutes.

Step 9

Let cake stand about 10 minutes. While cake is still warm, run a knife around edges and invert onto a plate or cake stand.

Step 10

To make the caramel sauce, combine brown sugar, butter, and milk in medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil and simmer 3-4 minutes, stirring often, until caramel is smooth and thickened.

Step 11

Drizzle caramel sauce over sliced cake before serving.