Name: Easy Apple Upside Down Cake Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ¼ cup unsalted butter; ½ cup light brown sugar; 3 Honeycrisp apples, sliced into ¼-inch half circles; 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour; ½ cup granulated sugar; 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder; ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon; ¼ teaspoon salt; ¾ cup milk (dairy or plant-based); ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 large egg

Introduction

If you’re craving the warm, sweet aroma of apples and cinnamon, this Apple Upside Down Cake is the perfect dessert to bake this season. With layers of caramelized apples and buttery cake, it’s a quick, comforting treat that delivers all the cozy vibes of fall. Whether you’re new to baking or a seasoned home cook, this recipe guarantees a delicious, bakery-worthy result in under an hour.

The image shows a round tarte tatin with a shiny, caramelized golden-brown surface arranged with thin, glossy apple slices that fan out in a circular pattern. On top of the tart, there are three scoops of creamy white vanilla ice cream, each drizzled with light brown caramel sauce. The tart sits on a plain white plate against a white marbled background. Around the plate, there are three whole apples with red and yellow skin, and a few cinnamon sticks placed nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

¼ cup unsalted butter (for topping)

½ cup light brown sugar

3 Honeycrisp apples, sliced into ¼-inch half circles

1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour

½ cup granulated sugar

1 ½ teaspoons baking powder

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

¼ teaspoon salt

¾ cup milk (dairy or plant-based)

¼ cup unsalted butter, melted (for cake)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 large egg

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place ¼ cup of butter in a 9-inch round cake pan and let it melt in the oven. Once melted, remove from the oven and sprinkle ½ cup brown sugar evenly over the butter. Arrange the apple slices in overlapping circles over the sugar mixture to form the caramelized topping.

Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt until evenly combined.

Step 3: In another bowl, whisk milk, melted butter, vanilla extract, and egg until smooth and well-blended.

Step 4: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Gently stir until just combined, taking care not to overmix. The batter should be smooth but not runny. Pour the batter evenly over the arranged apples, smoothing the top with a spatula.

Step 5: Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The cake should be golden and slightly pulling away from the sides of the pan.

Step 6: Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then run a knife around the edges to loosen. Place a serving plate over the pan and carefully invert the cake. Lift off the pan to reveal the caramelized apple topping.

Tips & Variations

Replace butter with coconut oil or plant-based butter for a dairy-free option.

Use oat, almond, or soy milk instead of dairy milk for a vegan-friendly version.

Try Granny Smith apples for a tart bite, Fuji for crisp sweetness, or Pink Lady for balanced flavor.

Swap all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose blend for a gluten-free cake.

To reduce refined sugar, replace half the sugar with coconut sugar.

FAQs

Can I use other types of apples in this recipe?

Yes, this recipe is versatile and works well with any apple variety you prefer. Choose tart apples like Granny Smith for a tangy twist or sweeter varieties like Fuji or Pink Lady for a milder flavor.

How do I prevent the cake from sticking to the pan when flipping?

Make sure to melt the butter in the pan before adding the brown sugar and apples, which creates a non-stick caramel layer. After baking, let the cake cool for 10 minutes and run a knife carefully around the edges before inverting to loosen it properly.