Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake

There’s something magical about the pairing of caramel and apples—it instantly evokes cozy memories of crisp fall days, warm kitchens, and family gatherings. When baked into a luscious upside-down cake, you don’t just have dessert—you have a celebration on a plate!

Picture a golden, tender cake topped with layers of caramelized apples that glisten in a buttery glaze. With every bite, the sweet richness of caramel balances beautifully with the tartness of apples. The best part? This showstopping dessert is surprisingly easy to make with a handful of pantry staples and minimal prep time.

If you’re a fan of comforting, fruit-filled cakes like Lemon Blueberry Bundt Cake, this caramel apple creation is about to become your new favorite. So, let’s preheat the oven and bake some happiness!

What Is Caramel Apple Upside-Down Cake?

The name says it all: the cake is baked “upside down” with apples and caramel at the bottom of the pan. After baking, it’s flipped onto a serving plate to reveal a stunning topping of caramel-coated apples—like unwrapping a delicious surprise.

This treat draws inspiration from the classic pineapple upside-down cake, which gained popularity in the mid-20th century. Over time, bakers began experimenting with other fruits, and the caramel-apple version quickly became a fall favorite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Perfect flavor balance: Sweet caramel + tart apples = irresistible.

• Budget-friendly: Make an elegant, bakery-worthy dessert at home for a fraction of the cost.

• Showstopper appeal: The glossy caramelized apple topping makes for an impressive presentation.

• Versatile: Perfect for holidays, potlucks, or a cozy family dessert.

If Cherry Almond Coffee Cake is your style, this caramel apple version will win you over too.

Ingredients

• 4 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled and sliced

• 1 cup brown sugar (packed)

• ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick)

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 1 tsp baking soda

• ½ tsp salt

• 1 cup buttermilk

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

2. Make caramel: In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar and cook until bubbly and syrupy, 1–2 minutes. Pour into prepared pan.

3. Layer apples: Arrange slices over caramel mixture in an even layer.

4. Make batter: In a large bowl, beat granulated sugar and eggs until pale and fluffy. Stir in vanilla.

5. Mix dry ingredients: In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

6. Combine: Add dry ingredients to wet mixture, alternating with buttermilk. Mix until smooth.

7. Bake: Pour batter over apples. Bake 40–45 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

8. Invert: Cool for 10 minutes, then carefully flip onto a serving plate.

9. Serve: Slice and enjoy warm.

Serving Suggestions

• A scoop of vanilla ice cream for a classic pairing.

• A dollop of fresh whipped cream for lightness.

• A sprinkle of cinnamon or chopped walnuts for texture.

• Pair with coffee or hot apple cider for the ultimate fall dessert experience.

Tips for Success

• Choose the right apples: Granny Smith adds tartness, Honeycrisp brings sweetness—mix for balance.

• Mind the bake time: Check in the last 5 minutes; the cake should be golden and springy.

• Caramel release trick: If caramel sticks to the pan, gently warm the bottom over low heat before flipping.

• Make ahead: Bake a day in advance and rewarm before serving for convenience.

Storing & Reheating

• Refrigerate: Wrap cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap; keeps up to 3 days.

• Freeze: Store slices in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.

• Reheat: Microwave individual slices for 15–20 seconds or warm in a low oven before serving.

Final Bite

Caramel Apple Upside-Down Cake is everything you want in a fall dessert: cozy, flavorful, and beautiful enough to impress any guest. With its glossy caramel topping and tender crumb, it’s the perfect way to sweeten gatherings—or treat yourself to something special at home.

Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake

A delightful and easy-to-make cake featuring caramelized apples atop a fluffy cake, perfect for fall gatherings.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Course cake, Dessert

Cuisine American, Fall

Servings 8 servings

Calories 350 kcal

Ingredients

  

For the Topping

• 4 medium medium apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled and sliced
• 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
• ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick)

For the Cake Batter

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup buttermilk

Instructions

 

Preparation

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the brown sugar and cook until bubbly and syrupy, about 1-2 minutes. Pour this mixture into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
• Layer the apple slices on top of the caramel mixture, starting from the edges and working your way to the center.

Making the Cake Batter

• In a large bowl, beat the granulated sugar and eggs together until pale and fluffy. Stir in the vanilla extract.
• In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the buttermilk. Mix until smooth.

Baking and Inverting

• Carefully spoon the cake batter over the apples in the baking dish, smoothing it out to cover the apples.
• Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the center.
• Let the cake cool for about 10 minutes, then carefully invert it onto a serving plate.
• Slice and enjoy your delightful caramel apple upside-down cake!

Notes

Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. Consider adding cinnamon or walnuts for extra flavor. This cake can be made a day ahead and reheated before serving.

Keyword Baking, Caramel Apple Cake, Easy Cake Recipe, Fall Desserts, Upside Down Cake