This Apple Upside Down Cake is everything you crave in a cozy dessert: sweet, spiced apples caramelized to golden perfection, nestled under a soft, buttery cake with just the right amount of fluff. When flipped, it transforms into a showstopper of a dessert that looks as stunning as it tastes. Perfect for autumn gatherings, Sunday dinners, or anytime you want to infuse your kitchen with the scent of cinnamon and apples.
Unlike traditional upside-down cakes, this version leans into brown sugar and cinnamon for a richer, deeper flavor that complements the natural sweetness of the apples. It comes together with everyday pantry staples, yet delivers bakery-quality results every time.
What Kind of Apples Work Best?
For this cake, firm apples like Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Fuji are ideal. They hold their shape while baking and offer a balance of tart and sweet. You can mix varieties for a more complex flavor.
Ingredients for the Apple Upside Down Cake
- 3 medium apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, divided
- 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
How To Make the Apple Upside Down Cake
Step 1: Prepare the Apple Base
Melt 1/4 cup of butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar and cook until it bubbles. Pour into a greased 9-inch round cake pan. Arrange apple slices on top in a circular pattern.
Step 2: Make the Cake Batter
In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. In a separate large bowl, cream remaining 1/4 cup butter with granulated sugar until fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in sour cream, milk, and vanilla. Gradually add dry ingredients, mixing until smooth.
Step 3: Assemble and Bake
Pour the batter over the apples in the cake pan and smooth the top. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting onto a plate.
How to Serve and Store Your Apple Upside Down Cake
Serve warm with whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce for a decadent treat. The caramelized apples on top get even more flavorful as they sit.
To store, cover the cooled cake tightly and keep it at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days. Reheat individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds to revive the gooey top.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different fruit?
Yes! Pears, peaches, or pineapple all work wonderfully in place of apples.
Can I make this gluten-free?
You can substitute a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. Just make sure it contains xanthan gum.
Why did my cake stick to the pan?
Be sure to grease the pan thoroughly and let the cake rest for 10 minutes before flipping. A parchment paper round also helps.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Absolutely. Bake the night before and store covered at room temp. Reheat gently before serving.
What if I don’t have sour cream?
You can substitute plain Greek yogurt for a similar tang and moisture.
Want More Cake Ideas with a Twist?
If you’re into comforting bakes like this, you might also love:
- Cherry Chocolate Cheesecake
- Nutella French Toast Casserole
- Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars
- Decadent Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Lemon Loaf Recipe
Save This Pin + Share Your Results
📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dessert board so you can come back to it any time.
And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you use Granny Smith or go sweet with Fuji? Add cinnamon or cardamom?
I love seeing your twists on my favorites. Questions are welcome too—let’s swap baking tips!
For more dessert ideas, visit my Pinterest page: Nina Dishes on Pinterest
Apple Upside Down Cake
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A warm, spiced Apple Upside Down Cake with buttery caramelized apples baked beneath a fluffy vanilla cake. Flip it over and you’ve got a showstopping dessert, perfect for cozy evenings or fall gatherings.
Ingredients
3 medium apples peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
1/2 cup unsalted butter divided
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1/3 cup sour cream
1/4 cup whole milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
1. Melt 1/4 cup of butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar and cook until bubbly.
2. Pour the mixture into a greased 9-inch round cake pan. Arrange apple slices in a circular pattern.
3. In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
4. In another bowl, cream the remaining 1/4 cup butter with granulated sugar until fluffy.
5. Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in sour cream, milk, and vanilla.
6. Gradually mix in dry ingredients until the batter is smooth.
7. Pour batter over the apples and smooth the top.
8. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 35–40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
9. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting onto a plate.
Notes
Use firm apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith to hold their shape.
Don’t skip the 10-minute rest before flipping the cake.
Plain Greek yogurt can replace sour cream if needed.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 26g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: apple dessert, upside down cake, fall recipes
