Caramel Apple Upside-Down Cake

by Feli Chic'Cuisine

The combination of buttery caramel, tender apples, and a hint of cinnamon creates a dessert that's as delicious as it is visually stunning.

Caramel Apple Upside-Down Cake is a delightful way to celebrate the flavors of autumn. The combination of rich caramel, soft apples, and a moist cake creates a dessert that’s both comforting and impressive. It’s perfect for gatherings or a cozy evening at home, offering a deliciously sweet and spiced treat that’s as beautiful as it is tasty.

Autumn brings a special kind of magic with its colorful leaves, and the sweet smell of apples. It's the perfect time for seasonal baking, and one of my all-time favorite treats is a French-inspired Caramel Apple Upside-Down Cake.

This cake captures the essence of fall, with rich flavors that make it ideal for cozy evenings, festive gatherings, or just when you're in the mood for something sweet. The combination of buttery caramel, tender apples, and a hint of cinnamon creates a dessert that's as delicious as it is visually stunning.

Once the cake is inverted from the pan, all the juices from the baked apples seep down into the cake, adding moistness and flavor.

@Feli Chic'Cuisine - The combination of buttery caramel, tender apples, and a hint of cinnamon creates a dessert that's as delicious as it is visually stunning.

Caramel Apple Upside-Down

Cake Recipe

The combination of buttery caramel, tender apples, and a hint of cinnamon creates a dessert that's as delicious as it is visually stunning.

Prep Time: 20 min Bake Time: 50 min

Total Time: 1 hour 10 min Serves: 8

Ingredients

For the Topping:

3 apples, thinly sliced
½ tsp cinnamon
150g (¾ cup) sugar
2 Tbsp water

For the Batter:

150g (¾ cup) sugar
240g (1 cup) butter, at room temperature
120g (1 cup) all-purpose flour
½ tsp baking soda
115g (½ cup) cream cheese
3 large eggs, free-range

Method

Preparing the Oven and Pan

1. First things first: preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F).

2. Butter the bottom and sides of a 23 cm (9-inch) round cake pan. This cake can get sticky due to the caramel, so avoid using a springform pan; the caramel might leak out while baking.

3. In a small bowl, combine the flour and baking soda, then set it aside. Preparing everything in advance makes the whole baking experience much more enjoyable.

Make the Caramel Topping

4. In a saucepan, heat 150g (¾ cup) sugar and 2 tablespoons of water over medium-low heat. It's important to let it heat without stirring; gently swirl the pan instead.

5. Cook the mixture until it turns a beautiful golden brown and bubbles. When it reaches that perfect color, remove it from the heat and pour the caramel into the prepared cake pan carefully to avoid burns.

6. Arrange the apple slices in a circular pattern over the caramel and sprinkle them with cinnamon.

Mixing the Batter

7. In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat together the sugar and butter until the mixture is light and fluffy. This crucial step helps ensure your cake stays moist. Then, add the cream cheese and beat until smooth.

8. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition and scraping down the bowl’s sides as needed. Gradually mix in your flour mixture until just combined. Be sure not to over-mix to keep the cake moist and tender.

Baking and Serving

9. Gently spread the batter over the arranged apple slices. Place the cake in the oven and bake for 40-50 minutes until golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

10. After baking, let the cake cool for about 30 minutes before turning it onto a serving plate. It’s a simple pleasure to see the caramel drizzle down the sides.