Name: Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake Recipe
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 6 Tablespoons (85g) unsalted butter; 1/2 cup (100g) packed light or dark brown sugar; 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; 2 medium apples, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch slices (1.5–2 cups, or 188–250g apple slices); 1 and 1/2 cups (188g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled); 1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder; 1 and 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup (8 Tbsp; 113g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature; 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar; 1/2 cup (100g) packed light or dark brown sugar; 2 large eggs, at room temperature; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; 6 Tablespoons (90ml) whole milk, at room temperature

If you’re anything like me and adore the sweet, cozy flavors of fall, then you’re going to be head over heels for this Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake Recipe. It’s one of those desserts that just feels like a warm hug on a plate — sticky caramel, tender apples, and a soft, spiced cake all baked together in perfect harmony. Whether you’re making it for a weekend treat or a special gathering, this cake never fails to impress and has become a favorite in my kitchen. Stick with me, and I’ll walk you through how to nail it every single time.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfectly Balanced Flavors: The combination of warm cinnamon, nutmeg, caramel, and tart apples creates a nostalgic flavor that’s never too sweet.
Simple, Homey Ingredients: It’s made from pantry classics and fresh apples — no complicated or hard-to-find items required.
Showstopper Presentation: The caramel apple topping turns the cake upside-down into a gorgeous mosaic that makes it almost too pretty to eat (almost!).
Great for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a casual Sunday or a holiday dinner, this recipe feels effortlessly special.

A slice of cake with two layers is shown on a white plate set on a white marbled surface. The bottom layer is a light brown, soft, and spongy cake base. The top layer has cooked apple slices that are golden-yellow and shiny with caramel glaze, creating a sticky and glossy texture. The apple slices lie flat on the cake, and some syrup has slightly dripped onto the plate. In the background, there is a blurred white plate with another piece of the same cake. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake, caramel apple dessert, fall apple cake, caramel upside down cake, homemade apple cake

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient in this Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake Recipe plays an important role — from the butter that brings richness to the brown sugar that adds depth, to the spices that cozy everything up. Let’s walk through the essentials so you know what to look for next time you’re at the store.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of unsalted butter, a small white bowl filled with light brown sugar, a small white bowl with ground cinnamon powder, a small white bowl with clear vanilla extract, two peeled and thinly sliced medium apples arranged neatly, a small white bowl of all-purpose flour, a small white bowl of baking powder, a small white bowl of ground nutmeg, a small white bowl of salt, a small white bowl filled with granulated sugar, two whole uncracked large brown eggs, a small white bowl containing whole milk, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake, caramel apple dessert, fall apple cake, caramel upside down cake, homemade apple cake

Unsalted Butter: Using unsalted allows you to control the salt content perfectly, plus room temperature butter creams better for a fluffier cake.
Brown Sugar: I recommend light or dark brown sugar to get that classic caramel color and deep molasses flavor in the topping.
Ground Cinnamon: Freshly ground if possible; it smells incredible and brings warmth to both the topping and cake.
Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla makes a noticeable difference in elevating the flavors.
Apples: I like using firm but sweet-tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp — they hold their shape well and balance the sweetness.
All-Purpose Flour: Spoon it into your measuring cup rather than scooping to avoid packed flour and a dense cake.
Baking Powder: Key for a light rise, so make sure it’s fresh.
Ground Nutmeg: Adds a subtle nutty warmth that complements cinnamon beautifully.
Salt: Just a touch to enhance all those sweet flavors.
Granulated Sugar: Balances the brown sugar with a clean sweetness.
Eggs: Room temperature eggs mix more evenly, so don’t skip bringing them out early.
Whole Milk: Adds moisture and tenderness to the crumb; use full-fat for best results.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

One of the things I love most about this Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake Recipe is how easy it is to make your own with a few tweaks. Once you get a feel for the base, don’t hesitate to experiment!

Spiced Up: I sometimes add a pinch of ground cloves or cardamom to the batter for a little extra warmth that makes the cake feel more festive.
Nutty Addition: Toasted pecans or walnuts sprinkled over the apple topping add a wonderful crunch that my family goes crazy for.
Dairy-Free Version: Swap butter with coconut oil and use almond or oat milk — the apple and caramel flavors still shine beautifully.
Apple Substitutes: I’ve used pears for a softer, sweeter profile, which turns out delicious as well.

How to Make Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake Recipe

Step 1: Prep That Glorious Topping

Start by melting the butter and brown sugar together gently in a small saucepan over medium heat. When I do this, I whisk constantly to keep it smooth and avoid burning. After about a minute as it thickens, take it off the heat and stir in cinnamon and vanilla extract. Pour this luscious mixture into your ungreased 9-inch pan (it should be roughly 2 inches deep so nothing overflows). Then arrange the apple slices in a neat, overlapping pattern — this not only looks beautiful once flipped but helps the apples cook evenly. I recommend chilling the pan in the fridge for a few minutes while you make the batter to let everything set nicely.

Step 2: Whip Up the Cake Batter

In a bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt together — this is your dry mix. Separately, beat the softened butter on high speed until smooth and creamy, then add both sugars and keep beating until fluffy. Scrape down the bowl to make sure everything blends. Add eggs one at a time, plus vanilla, beating well after each addition. Now, slowly incorporate the dry ingredients and milk alternately by mixing on low speed, stopping as soon as everything is combined. The batter will be thick but smooth — if you see any lumps, give it a gentle whisk by hand to even it out. Over-mixing is a no-go here since it can toughen your cake.

Step 3: Bake and Flip Your Masterpiece

Take your chilled pan with the apple topping and pour the batter evenly on top. Pop it into the oven preheated to 350°F (177°C). After about 20 minutes, lightly tent aluminum foil over the cake to prevent the top from getting too brown—this little step saved me from many scorched attempts! Bake for a total of 40-46 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs. Once out of the oven, let it cool on a rack for 15 minutes — just enough so it’s not burning hot. Then comes the fun part: invert the cake onto a serving plate so all that caramel-apple goodness is on top. The juices might drip a little, and that’s part of the charm! I like to let the cake cool completely before slicing to keep the pieces intact and avoid a sticky mess.

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Pro Tips for Making Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake Recipe

Set the Apple Topping: Chilling the caramel and apple arrangement before adding the batter helps keep the design intact and prevents apples from shifting.
Tent the Cake Midway: Placing foil on top halfway through baking prevents over-browning without compromising the cake’s doneness.
Room Temperature Ingredients: Using eggs, butter, and milk at room temp ensures smooth mixing and a tender crumb.
Cooling Patience: Resist the urge to slice while warm to avoid messy, falling-apart pieces—complete cooling really helps with clean slices.

How to Serve Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake Recipe

Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake Recipe - Serving

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple when serving this cake — a dollop of lightly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream complements the warm caramel and spices without overpowering them. Sometimes I sprinkle a little finely chopped toasted pecans on top for extra texture and nutty flavor, which is always a crowd-pleaser. Fresh apple slices or a drizzle of caramel sauce never hurt either if you want to get fancy!

Side Dishes

This cake is a dessert star all on its own, but if you’re hosting a meal, it pairs wonderfully with a light cup of chai tea or coffee — the spices in the drinks echo the cake’s flavors nicely. For a brunch setup, serve it alongside crispy bacon or sausage for a perfect sweet-and-savory balance. It also shines with a simple green salad dressed in a tangy vinaigrette if you want to keep things fresh.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve tried decorating the cake with thin apple fan slices arranged over the top after it’s baked for an extra wow factor. Another fun idea is to serve individual mini caramel apple upside down cakes in ramekins — guests love their personal-sized dessert, and presentation just skyrockets. I also like to dust a little powdered sugar over the cooled cake for a snowy look that’s especially pretty in fall and winter months.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, I cover leftover slices tightly with plastic wrap or store them in an airtight container in the fridge. The cake stays moist and flavorful for up to 3 days this way — perfect if you want to enjoy a second round without baking again.

Freezing

I’ve found that freezing the whole cake isn’t ideal because the apple topping arrangement doesn’t thaw very nicely. Instead, I slice individual pieces, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and foil, and freeze them that way. When you thaw them at room temperature, they retain their taste and texture much better on a slice-by-slice basis.

Reheating

To reheat, I pop slices in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds or warm them gently in a low oven (around 300°F) for 10 minutes. This brings back that just-baked softness without drying the cake out. Serving warm with ice cream is an instant crowd-pleaser!

FAQs

Can I use other fruits instead of apples in this Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake Recipe?

Absolutely! While apples are classic for this recipe, pears work wonderfully as a softer, sweeter alternative. You could also try peaches or nectarines in the summer months. Just be sure to slice them evenly and consider their moisture content, since juicier fruit might affect baking time and texture.
Do I need a special pan for this upside-down cake?

A regular 9-inch round cake pan or a pie dish that’s about 2 inches deep works perfectly. The key is enough depth to hold the caramel and apple topping without spilling over. Avoid thinner pans since the batter may overflow during baking.
How do I keep the cake from sticking to the pan when I flip it?

Since the topping is sticky caramel, the cake usually releases easily if you let it cool for about 15 minutes before flipping. Run a thin knife gently along the edges to loosen it, and flip onto a plate with a confident, quick motion. Using an ungreased pan as directed helps the caramel sauce form a glaze that lifts the cake out cleanly.
Can I make this cake gluten-free?

You can! Swap the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend that includes xanthan gum for best results. The texture may be a little different, but the caramel and apple flavors still shine through beautifully.
Why is it important to use room temperature ingredients?

Room temperature ingredients mix more evenly, which creates a smoother batter and better crumb structure in the cake. Cold butter or eggs can cause the batter to curdle or not rise properly, so I always plan ahead to bring them out before baking.

Final Thoughts

This Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake Recipe holds a special place in my recipe box because it’s a comforting, crowd-pleasing dessert that looks like you put in way more effort than you actually did. Its blend of coaxing caramel, tender spiced apples, and soft cake texture makes it a perfect treat for any time you want to impress without stress. I hope when you try it, you’ll feel the same joy I do every time I slice into this cozy, golden beauty. Happy baking, my friend!