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Caramel Apple Upside-Down Cake

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This easy Caramel Apple Upside-Down Cake features a gooey caramel apple topping and a moist, tender cake—perfect for fall gatherings, Thanksgiving, or a cozy dessert. Simple ingredients and a quick prep make it a crowd-pleasing treat that tastes like autumn in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 medium apples, peeled, cored, and sliced (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (for caramel topping)
  • 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for caramel topping)
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional, for caramel topping)
  • Pinch of salt (for caramel topping)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (for cake batter)
  • 2/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (for cake batter)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for cake batter)
  • Optional: 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan with butter or nonstick spray and line the bottom with parchment paper.
  2. In a small saucepan, melt 1/2 cup butter over medium heat. Add 3/4 cup brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Stir until smooth and bubbly, about 2-3 minutes. Pour caramel mixture into prepared pan and spread evenly.
  3. Arrange apple slices in concentric circles over the caramel layer.
  4. In a large bowl, cream 1/2 cup softened butter and 2/3 cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy (2-3 minutes). Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Mix in vanilla extract.
  5. Stir in sour cream or Greek yogurt until smooth.
  6. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and ginger (if using).
  7. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Do not overmix.
  8. Carefully spoon batter over apples and caramel in the pan. Spread evenly and smooth the top.
  9. Bake for 35-40 minutes, until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Tent with foil for the last 10 minutes if browning too quickly.
  10. Let cake cool in pan for 10-15 minutes. Run a knife around the edge, place a serving plate over the pan, and invert the cake. Replace any apples that stick to the pan.
  11. Let cool fully before slicing for neat pieces, or serve slightly warm for gooey caramel.

Notes

For best results, use room temperature ingredients. Don’t overmix the batter to keep the cake tender. Release the cake while still warm to prevent caramel from sticking. You can substitute gluten-free flour or dairy-free alternatives as needed. Add nuts or cranberries for extra flavor. Serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream for a special treat.

Nutrition

Keywords: caramel apple cake, upside-down cake, fall dessert, Thanksgiving, easy cake, apple dessert, autumn baking, caramel, holiday dessert

Find it online: https://fuzzyforker.com/caramel-apple-upside-down-cake-recipe-easy-fall-dessert-for-thanksgiving/