Upside-Down Cake with Caramelized Apple Slices Recipe

If you’re looking for a showstopping dessert that combines a buttery, tender crumb with luscious fruit and sparkling caramel, this Upside-Down Cake with Caramelized Apple Slices is the answer to your sweet cravings. It’s a masterpiece that delivers on both flavor and presentation: thinly sliced apples glazed in homemade caramel, topped with a delightfully moist cake, and flipped over to reveal a glossy, golden crown. Whether you’re celebrating a special day or just want to make an ordinary afternoon a little more magical, this cake always wows both taste buds and eyes!

Ingredients You’ll Need

It never fails to amaze me how a list of simple, kitchen-staple ingredients can transform into something as glorious as this Upside-Down Cake with Caramelized Apple Slices. Each ingredient has a starring role—some adding moisture, others bringing tenderness, and the rest introducing gorgeous perfume or color.

• Eggs: Provide structure and richness, contributing to a light, fluffy crumb.
• Sugar: Used twice for both sweetening the batter and making that irresistible caramel layer for the apples.
• Unsalted butter: Adds beautiful richness and ensures every bite is decadently moist.
• Greek yogurt: This secret ingredient makes the cake fantastically tender and adds a subtle tang.
• Vanilla extract: Lends delicate fragrance and rounds out the flavors.
• Baking powder: Essential for lift—ensures your cake rises to just the right height.
• Salt: Just a pinch brings all the other flavors into perfect balance.
• All-purpose flour: The workhorse of cakes, giving our dessert its lovely, sturdy texture.
• Apples (like Pink Lady): Thin slices hold their shape and become beautifully tender and glossy after baking.
• Water: Teams up with sugar to create a dreamy caramel syrup.
• Cinnamon (optional): Adds a whisper of warmth and spice, especially perfect in cooler months.

How to Make Upside-Down Cake with Caramelized Apple Slices

Step 1: Prep the Pan and Oven

Start by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line the bottom of an 8-inch springform round pan with parchment paper, then grease the sides generously with baking spray or butter. This step is crucial—the parchment guarantees a clean release for your glossy apple topping, while the greased sides let the cake rise and pull away easily.

Step 2: Make the Cake Batter

In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs and sugar on high speed for about 3 minutes, until the mixture is pale, thick, and fluffy. This gives your Upside-Down Cake with Caramelized Apple Slices its signature airy crumb. Next, add the melted butter, Greek yogurt, and vanilla extract, beating until smooth. Sift in the baking powder, salt, and flour, then mix on medium-low just until everything is incorporated. Use a spatula for a final gentle fold to keep the batter light.

Step 3: Arrange the Apples

Place your thinly sliced apples peel-side down in a neat circular pattern, starting in the center and fanning them outward to cover the bottom of the pan. Don’t worry if they overlap—they’ll shrink slightly while baking and create a beautiful mosaic when you flip your Upside-Down Cake with Caramelized Apple Slices.

Step 4: Make the Caramel

In a small saucepan, combine water, sugar, and cinnamon (if using). Bring this mixture to a boil over medium heat, swirling the pan (no need to stir) until the syrup turns a deep, rich amber. Immediately pour the hot caramel over your apple arrangement, reserving half to drizzle over the finished cake if you like an extra hit of sticky-sweet goodness.

Step 5: Assemble and Bake

Gently scoop the cake batter on top of your caramelized apples, using a spatula to spread it evenly without disturbing your beautiful fruit pattern. Set the pan on a baking sheet (just in case of drips) and bake for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick in the center comes out clean. Cool for at least 5 minutes, then run a knife around the edges, and the moment of truth: invert the warm Upside-Down Cake with Caramelized Apple Slices onto a serving plate, lift the pan, and reveal that glistening, caramel-coated crown!

How to Serve Upside-Down Cake with Caramelized Apple Slices

Garnishes

Dress up each slice with a little flourish—a dusting of powdered sugar for a classic touch, or a dollop of softly whipped cream to add pillowy lightness. For even more decadence, a drizzle of your reserved caramel or a scatter of toasted chopped pecans makes each serving totally irresistible.

Side Dishes

While this Upside-Down Cake with Caramelized Apple Slices is pretty perfect on its own, it also plays well alongside a scoop of vanilla or cinnamon ice cream. If you’re serving it at a brunch table, offer fresh berries or a fruit salad to complement the sweet caramel vibe.

Creative Ways to Present

Bring out your inner pastry chef by serving the cake in slender wedges with artistic drizzles of caramel on the plate, or stack overlapping slices in a fan shape for a buffet. Miniature versions baked in ramekins make for an elegant plated dessert, and a scattering of edible flowers or fresh mint leaves makes for a dramatic finish.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover cake juicy by covering it tightly with plastic wrap or placing it in an airtight container. It stays moist and flavorful at room temperature for a day or in the fridge for up to three days. Just don’t be surprised if it disappears before then!

Freezing

Want to keep your Upside-Down Cake with Caramelized Apple Slices on hand for that next craving? Wrap individual slices (or the whole cake) well in plastic, then foil, and freeze for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

Reheating

For that fresh-from-the-oven warmth, gently reheat slices in the microwave for 20–30 seconds. If you’re warming a larger portion, a low oven (around 300°F/150°C) for 10 minutes does the trick, preserving the cake’s tender texture and reviving the caramel’s sheen.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of apple?

Yes! Pink Lady apples are a personal favorite for their sweet-tart bite and firm texture, but Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji work beautifully. Just choose apples that hold their shape well during baking.

What if I don’t have a springform pan?

No worries—any 8-inch round cake pan will do, though lining the bottom with parchment is especially important for easy release. If your pan isn’t very deep, place a baking sheet underneath to catch any caramel overflow.

Can I make this Upside-Down Cake with Caramelized Apple Slices gluten free?

Absolutely! Simply swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. The rest of the recipe remains exactly the same and tastes just as fabulous.

Do I need a mixer for the batter?

While a hand or stand mixer gives the fluffiest results, you can definitely whisk by hand—just be ready for a little arm workout when whipping the eggs and sugar. The key is to get plenty of air into the mixture for a light cake.

How do I prevent the caramel from hardening too fast?

Once the caramel hits that deep amber color, pour it right away over the apples while it’s hot and fluid. Don’t let it cool in the pan, and work carefully as caramel is very hot. That way, you’ll get a gleaming, perfectly sticky layer atop your cake.

Final Thoughts

If you’re searching for a dessert that’s as beautiful as it is delicious, you can’t go wrong with an Upside-Down Cake with Caramelized Apple Slices. Every slice is pure comfort, combining juicy fruit, golden caramel, and the tenderest cake you can imagine. Give it a go and watch your friends and family swoon—the magic is in every bite!

Print