Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake

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Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake

Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake is a delightful dessert that perfectly captures the essence of fall. With its rich caramel base, sweet apples, and fluffy cake, it’s a classic recipe that’s sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.

The key to this dessert lies in the caramel layer. Made with butter, brown sugar, and vanilla extract, it creates a decadent base for the apple slices and cake. The apples, typically Granny Smith or Honeycrisp, add a tart sweetness that complements the caramel.

The cake batter is simple and straightforward, made with flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, butter, sugar, eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla extract. It’s a light and airy batter that bakes into a moist and tender cake.

To prepare this delicious dessert, simply melt the butter in a 9-inch round cake pan, add the brown sugar and vanilla extract, and bring to a boil. Arrange the apple slices over the caramel layer, then pour the cake batter on top. Bake in a preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Once baked, let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting it onto a serving plate. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for a truly indulgent treat.

Questions I often get asked about this recipe:

Can I use different types of apples?
Yes, you can use different types of apples. Granny Smith and Honeycrisp are popular choices because of their tartness, but you can also experiment with other varieties like Fuji or Braeburn.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, you can make this recipe gluten-free by using gluten-free flour. Be sure to choose a gluten-free flour blend that is specifically designed for baking.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, you can make this recipe ahead of time. Bake the cake as instructed, then let it cool completely. Wrap it tightly and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When ready to serve, reheat the cake for a few minutes in a preheated oven.

What can I do if the caramel is too thick?
If the caramel is too thick, add a tablespoon or two of water and stir until combined.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Yes, you can make this recipe dairy-free by using dairy-free butter and buttermilk.

What you need to make Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake:

For the caramel layer:

1/2 cup unsalted butter  

1 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the cake:

1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour  

1 teaspoon baking powder  

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 cup granulated sugar  

2 large eggs

1/2 cup buttermilk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2-3 apples, peeled, cored, and sliced

How to make it:

Prepare the caramel layer: In a 9-inch round cake pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the brown sugar and stir until combined. Bring to a boil and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes, or until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.

Arrange the apples: Arrange the apple slices evenly over the caramel layer.

Prepare the cake batter: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. In a separate bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the buttermilk and vanilla extract. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.  

Bake the cake: Pour the cake batter evenly over the apple slices. Bake in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Invert and serve: Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Invert onto a serving plate and let cool completely before serving.

Tips:

Don’t overbake the cake. The cake should be moist and tender, not dry. Overbaking can cause the cake to be crumbly and less flavorful.

Let the cake cool completely before inverting. This will help prevent the caramel from sticking to the cake and ensure a clean presentation.

Serve the cake warm. Warm cake is more flavorful and enjoyable than cold cake. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an extra indulgent treat.

Latest Reviews:

This cake was absolutely delicious! The caramel was rich and flavorful, the apples were perfectly cooked, and the cake was moist and tender. I will definitely be making this again. Shelby A.

This is a great recipe for a fall dessert. The apples and caramel come together to create a delicious and satisfying flavor combination. I love that this cake is easy to make, too. Mike R.

I made this cake for my family over the weekend, and it was a huge hit! Everyone loved the taste and the presentation. This is a definitely a keeper. Mitch G.

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