Upside Down Apple Cake

This Upside Down Apple Cake is buttery, tender, and topped with caramelized apples. Made with sour cream for extra moisture and baked to golden perfection, this cozy dessert is perfect for fall or any time you crave something sweet and comforting.

Few desserts capture the warmth of home baking like an Upside Down Apple Cake. Imagine tender slices of apple caramelized in a golden syrup, baked beneath a rich, moist sour cream cake, then flipped to reveal a glossy, fruit-topped masterpiece. It’s a dessert that’s equal parts rustic and elegant, perfect for family dinners, holidays, or when you want to treat yourself to something special.

While pineapple upside-down cake may be the classic, this apple version is cozier, with layers of warm cinnamon, nutmeg, and buttery caramel. The apples become silky and golden as they bake, sinking slightly into the cake while still standing out as the star.

And the best part? This cake is surprisingly easy to make. With pantry staples and just a couple of apples, you can have a show-stopping dessert that looks like it came straight from a bakery.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Cozy & Comforting – Apples + cinnamon + caramel = instant happiness.

• Moist Cake Base – Sour cream keeps the crumb rich and tender.

• Easy & Impressive – Looks fancy, but uses simple ingredients.

• Make-Ahead Friendly – Can be baked the night before and served the next day.

• Perfect for All Occasions – A fall favorite that also works for spring brunches, summer gatherings, or holiday tables.

Ingredient Breakdown

Each ingredient plays an important role in creating the perfect cake.

For the Cake Batter:

• Eggs (3 large)
  Provide structure, richness, and moisture. Beating them with sugar introduces air, giving the cake a light, fluffy base.

• Sugar (½ cup / 100 g)
  Sweetens the cake and contributes to a golden crust. Since the topping is caramel-heavy, this amount keeps the sweetness balanced.

• Unsalted Butter (4 oz / 115 g, melted)
  Adds richness and tenderness to the crumb. Using melted butter ensures a smooth batter that bakes evenly.

• Sour Cream (1 cup / 240 g)
  The secret to a moist cake! Sour cream adds subtle tang and keeps the cake soft for days.

• Vanilla Extract (1 tsp)
  Enhances the flavors and ties together the apples, caramel, and cake.

• Baking Powder (1 tbsp / 16 g)
  Leavening agent that gives the cake rise and keeps the texture light.

• Salt (¼ tsp)
  Balances sweetness and enhances flavor.

• All-Purpose Flour (2 cups / 240 g)
  Provides structure. Sifting ensures no lumps and prevents overmixing.

For the Apple Topping:

• Apples (2, thinly sliced, about 2 mm thick)
  Pink Lady apples are crisp, slightly tart, and hold their shape well. Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji also work beautifully.

• Water (¼ cup)
  Helps dissolve sugar into a smooth caramel base.

• Sugar (½ cup)
  Caramelizes with the water to create that gorgeous, amber topping.

• Cinnamon (½ tsp, optional)
  Adds warmth and coziness.

• Nutmeg (¼ tsp)
  Enhances the apples’ natural sweetness with depth and spice.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Ingredients

Cake Batter

• 3 large eggs

• ½ cup (100 g) sugar

• 4 oz (115 g) unsalted butter, melted

• 1 cup (240 g) sour cream

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 tbsp (16 g) baking powder

• ¼ tsp salt

• 2 cups (240 g) all-purpose flour

Apple Topping

• 2 apples, thinly sliced (about 2 mm)

• ¼ cup water

• ½ cup sugar

• ½ tsp cinnamon (optional)

• ¼ tsp nutmeg

Directions

1. Prep the Pan
   Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line the bottom of an 8-inch round cake pan with parchment paper and grease the sides.

2. Make the Cake Batter

• Beat eggs and sugar with a hand mixer on high for about 3 minutes, until pale and fluffy.

• Add melted butter, sour cream, and vanilla. Mix until smooth.

• Sift in flour, baking powder, and salt. Beat on low until just combined. Fold gently with a spatula.

3. Prepare the Apples
   Arrange apple slices, peel side down, in a circular pattern on the bottom of the prepared pan. Overlap slightly to cover the surface.

4. Make the Caramel
   In a small saucepan, combine water, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Heat over medium, swirling occasionally, until mixture turns amber in color (5–7 minutes). Carefully pour over the arranged apples.

5. Assemble the Cake
   Gently scoop batter over the apples, spreading evenly. Place pan on a baking sheet to catch any drips.

6. Bake
   Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

7. Invert & Serve
   Cool for 5 minutes. Run a knife around edges, then invert cake onto a serving plate. Peel off parchment, slice, and enjoy!

Tips for Success

• Slice Apples Evenly – Use a mandolin or sharp knife for consistent thin slices. This ensures even baking.

• Don’t Overmix Batter – Once flour is added, mix just until combined to avoid a dense cake.

• Caramel Safety – Watch closely—sugar can go from golden to burnt quickly. Swirl, don’t stir, to prevent crystallization.

• Cool Briefly Before Inverting – Waiting 5 minutes allows caramel to thicken slightly without sticking to the pan.

• Choose the Right Pan – A deep 8-inch cake pan or springform pan works best to hold the caramel without spilling.

Serving Suggestions

• Classic: Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

• Elegant: Drizzle extra caramel sauce over each slice.

• Brunch: Pair with coffee or chai tea for a sweet breakfast treat.

• Holiday: Add a dollop of whipped cream dusted with cinnamon.

Storage & Reheating

• Room Temp: Store covered for up to 2 days.

• Fridge: Keeps well for up to 5 days. Warm slices before serving.

• Freezer: Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in fridge.

Variations

• Pear Upside Down Cake – Swap apples for ripe pears.

• Spiced Apple Cake – Add ½ tsp cardamom to the caramel for a fragrant twist.

• Nutty Version – Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts over apples before adding batter.

• Maple Caramel – Replace sugar with maple syrup for a deeper flavor.

Why You Will Love This Dish

This dessert has everything readers crave in a homemade treat:

• A beautiful presentation that looks bakery-quality.

• The coziness of apples and cinnamon, perfect for fall or holidays.

• A moist, tender cake thanks to sour cream.

• A recipe that’s approachable yet impressive.

• The ability to customize—different apples, spices, or even pears.

Yield: 8

Author: CookSnapBake.com

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Upside Down Apple Cake

This Upside Down Apple Cake is buttery, tender, and topped with caramelized apples. Made with sour cream for extra moisture and baked to golden perfection, this cozy dessert is perfect for fall or any time you crave something sweet and comforting.

Prep time: 20 MinTotal time: 20 Min

Ingredients

• Cake Batter
• 3 large eggs
• ½ cup (100 g) sugar
• 4 oz (115 g) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup (240 g) sour cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp (16 g) baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• 2 cups (240 g) all-purpose flour
• Apple Topping
• 2 apples, thinly sliced (about 2 mm)
• ¼ cup water
• ½ cup sugar
• ½ tsp cinnamon (optional)
• ¼ tsp nutmeg

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line bottom of 8-inch pan with parchment, grease sides.
2. Beat eggs + sugar until fluffy (3 min). Add butter, sour cream, vanilla. Mix well.
3. Sift in flour, baking powder, salt. Mix until just combined.
4. Arrange apple slices in circular pattern on bottom of pan.
5. In saucepan, combine water, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg. Boil until amber. Pour over apples.
6. Spread batter evenly over apples.
7. Bake 35–40 minutes until toothpick comes out clean.
8. Cool 5 min, run knife around edges, invert onto plate. Serve warm.

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