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Caramel Apple Upside-Down Cake

Cozy Caramel Apple Upside-Down Cake: Autumn's Sweet Hug

This Caramel Apple Upside-Down Cake is a warm, inviting dessert embodying autumn's cozy flavors and aromas.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Cooling Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 8 slices
Course: Desserts
Cuisine: American
Calories: 320
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Cake
  • ½ cup unsalted butter Add richness and moisture; swap with vegan butter for a dairy-free alternative.
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar Makes the cake sweet; consider using less or replacing it with stevia for a lower-calorie version.
  • 2 large eggs Acts as a binder; for a vegan option, replace with flax eggs (1 tbsp flaxseed meal + 2.5 tbsp water per egg).
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour Provides structure; gluten-free flour blends can work as a substitute.
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder Essential leavening agent; ensure freshness for the best rise.
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt Enhances sweetness; can be omitted for low-sodium diets.
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon Adds warm, cozy spices; adjust to taste.
  • 1 teaspoon nutmeg Adjust to taste, or use pumpkin spice for a fun twist.
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Introduces flavor complexity; opt for pure vanilla for the ultimate taste.
  • ½ cup sour cream Contributes moisture and tang; Greek yogurt is a great alternative.
  • ⅓ cup milk Provides liquid, with non-dairy milk options available.
For the Topping
  • 1 cup brown sugar Sweetens and deepens the caramel flavor; coconut sugar is a great substitute for a refined alternative.
  • 2 cups apples (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith) Offer natural sweetness and texture; any firm apple variety works wonders.
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter Essential for the caramel; don't skip this for that gooey finish.

Equipment

  • 9-inch round cake pan
  • medium saucepan
  • mixing bowl
  • Electric Mixer
  • spatula

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9-inch round cake pan with unsalted butter or cooking spray.
  2. Melt 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat, then stir in 1 cup of brown sugar. Cook until bubbly and thick, then pour into the cake pan and layer sliced apples on top.
  3. In a mixing bowl, whisk together 1 ½ cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, ½ teaspoon of baking soda, ½ teaspoon of salt, and 1 teaspoon each of cinnamon and nutmeg.
  4. Cream together ½ cup of unsalted butter, ¾ cup of granulated sugar, and ¼ cup of brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add 2 eggs and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, mixing well.
  5. Stir in ½ cup of sour cream and ⅓ cup of milk into the butter-sugar mixture. Gradually fold in the dry ingredients.
  6. Spread the batter over the apple slices in the cake pan, smoothing it out to cover all the apples and caramel.
  7. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Look for a golden brown color on top.
  8. Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes. Invert onto a serving plate to release the cake.
  9. Slice and serve warm, ideally with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 320kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 3gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 45mgSodium: 180mgPotassium: 150mgFiber: 1gSugar: 25gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 30mgIron: 1mg

Notes

For best results, use fresh ingredients and allow the cake to rest overnight for flavor enhancement. Consider customizing spices to elevate fall flavors.

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