Caramelized upside-down apple cake
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This caramelized upside-down apple cake recipe is made from scratch with simple ingredients boosted with comforting spices and apple cocktail.
With the start of autumn, and the festive season around the corner, what’s best than the caramelized upside-down apple cake to kick off the preparations for one of the most beautiful periods of the year.
Let me say it straight away: this caramelized upside-down apple cake should top your recipes to-do every fall. Although it is one of the best food recipes and a perfect treat to serve during any season, it is still a staple that marks autumn. This caramelized upside-down apple cake is self-decorative. The beauty of the caramelized apple on top as you flip the cake upside down doesn’t leave room for any fancy decoration and trust me, you do not want to spoil the apple garnish.
My caramelized upside-down apple cake recipe is made from scratch with simple ingredients that you must have around the house. I added a secret touch to the cake through the apple cocktail to boost the apple flavor paired with the apple juice seeping down the cake once flipped upside down. Furthermore, the combination of warm spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg, and tenderly baked caramelized apple, makes it one of the most comforting recipes to date. Now try to imagine the aroma in the kitchen as you flip the cake upside down. Yes, I know the feeling. Let’s now get into the details.
Why is it called caramelized upside-down apple cake?
As the name indicates, this cake is made with caramelized apple that is stuffed at the bottom of the cake mold. The batter is then added on top of the apple and baked. Once the cake is baked, it is flipped upside down giving you a delicious cake beautifully decorated with an apple garnish.
Why make this caramelized upside-down apple cake
- Made with ingredients that you have around the house
- Overflown with flavors
- Comforting with the hot spices it includes
- Perfect for a family gathering or afternoon teatime
Ingredients for caramelized upside-down apple cake
-
- Flour: I use either all-purpose flour or oat flour in this recipe.
- Baking powder: not baking soda. Baking powder is used to leaven the cake.
- Cinnamon & nutmeg: two secret ingredients that perfectly add a special kick to the cake.
- Vegetable oil: To go lighter on this recipe, I usually swap the butter in the cake with the same amount of vegetable oil.
- Egg: an essential ingredient to the cake batter.
- Vanilla: another essential ingredient that I always add to my cakes
- Milk or yogurt: You can use full fat or low-fat milk. Furthermore, there is no harm in using yogurt instead of milk or half milk and half yogurt. If you like buttermilk, you can as well go ahead and add it. However, make sure to prepare your buttermilk 15 minutes before preparing the batter so that it will be ready on time.
- Unsalted butter: This is what you will need to make the caramel sauce. I use vegetarian butter at home as a low-fat option. You can swipe the full caramel sauce with maple syrup.
- Brown sugar: I usually use it to make the caramel sauce and add it as well to the cake batter.
- Apples: Royal gala or pink lady make a perfect choice. You can still opt for the green apple but I find it sourer than the red apple, hence I prefer to refrain from using it in this recipe.
How to make a caramelized upside-down apple cake?
Start first by making the caramel sauce. Then pre-heat the oven to 180°C.
Next, combine the dry ingredients of the cake in a bowl. Then start beating the eggs and sugar, and add consecutively, the oil, vanilla, and milk. After that, start adding the dry ingredient in batches ensuring that you do not over mix the ingredients.
Once the batter is smooth, start preparing the cake mold for baking.
Grease it well, then line a parchment paper and pour in the caramel sauce. Next, stuff the apple and finally add the cake batter. Bake the cake for 45 to 50 minutes and allow 10 minutes to cool before flipping it upside down.
How to store caramelized upside-down apple cake
Caramelized cakes are best served on the same day, especially since you can have them warm. However, you can always save caramelized cake leftovers in an air-tight container in the fridge for 2 to 3 days.
What are the possible substitutes for Caramel?
You do not have many options here. Although caramel is a perfect fit for this recipe, you can swap it with maple syrup on a 1:1 ratio. I do not advise substituting caramel with molasses or honey. They are strong in flavor and may supersede other flavors in the cake.
How to avoid this cake to stick to the cake mold after baking?
No need to freak out here. Any cake may stick to the mold, whether the mold is not greased enough or the heat in the oven is too high that the cake gets slightly burnt. As a rule of thumb, use parchment paper. Just line a parchment paper over the baking mold before stuffing the caramelized apple. Only this way, you will guarantee that no chunks from the apple garnish will stick to the pan as you flip the cake upside down.
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This caramelized upside-down apple cake recipe is made from scratch with simple ingredients boosted with comforting spices and apple cocktail.
Ingredients
- 3 eggs
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 tsp vanilla or vanilla extract
- ¾ cup milk, yogurt or buttermilk
- ¼ cup apple juice (or apple cocktail made by squeezing half apple in a blender)
- 1.5 cups flour
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
- 1.5 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For the caramelized apples
- 3 apples, peeled and sliced
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Make the caramel sauce: in a saucepan, melt the sugar then add the butter. Bring to a boil then turn off the heat and add ½ tsp cinnamon, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt.
- Grease the cake mold and line a parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a bowl, combine the dry ingredients of the cake: flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- Prepare the batter, by beating first the sugar and eggs at high speed. Once the batter is fluffy enough, start adding the oil, vanilla, and milk consecutively.
- Add the dry ingredients in batches and continue beating at low to medium speed until the batter is smooth. Add as well the apple cocktail ad this time. Make sure to scrape the sides of the bowl after each addition and do not over mix.
- Pour the caramel sauce at the bottom. Ensure to spread it evenly.
- Stuff the apple slices on top of the caramel sauce.
- Pour the cake batter evenly and bake it for up to 50 minutes at 180°C.
- Let the cake cool for 5 to 10 minutes maximum.
- Flip the cake upside down onto a cake stand or serving dish.
Notes
- To flip the cake upside down, place the serving plate on top of the pan. Then hold the pan firmly and flip quickly. Do not forget to use an oven mitt.
- The bottom layer of this cake is wet. In addition, many ingredients need to be well cooked until flavors blend well. Therefore, you may notice that this cake takes additional time to be fully baked.
- Use ingredients at room temperature, especially when it comes to eggs, milk, and butter. This is a rule of thumb when it comes to baking cakes.
- You can add almonds cashew or walnuts to the cake batter before baking for a crunchy cake.
- You can reheat this cake in the microwave and serve it. It pairs well with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- To replace the caramel in this recipe, use 1 cup maple syrup.
Nutrition
Calories: 312 kcal per serving | Serving size: 1 slice | Number of servings: 12
Total Fat 15 g | Saturated Fat 4 g | Cholesterol 57 mg | Sodium 196 mg | Potassium 121 mg | Total Carbohydrate 43 g | Dietary Fiber 2 g | Sugars 28 g | Protein 4 g | Vitamin A: 54% | Vitamin C: 5% | Calcium: 68% | Iron: 1%
* The Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet
