The Best Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake Recipe
This delicious Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake features tender Granny Smith apples caramelized with butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon, topped with a moist yellow cake batter. Baked together in a skillet and flipped to reveal a beautifully caramelized apple topping, it's perfect for autumn desserts or any special occasion.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Apple Topping
- 3/4 cups butter
- 1 1/4 cups brown sugar (packed)
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 10 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and sliced into 1/2-inch slices
- 3/4 cups chopped pecans (optional)
Cake Batter
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 1 1/3 cups apple juice
- 3 eggs
- 1/4 cups vegetable oil
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350ºF to ensure it reaches the right temperature for baking the cake evenly.
- Prepare Apples: Peel, core, and slice the Granny Smith apples into 1/2-inch slices for an even caramelization and tender texture.
- Make Caramel Apple Topping: In a 12-inch oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Add the brown sugar and cinnamon, stirring until a thick paste forms. Add the sliced apples and cook, stirring frequently, for about 10 minutes to coat the apples with the caramel mixture. Sprinkle chopped pecans on top if using, then remove the skillet from heat and set aside.
- Mix Cake Batter: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the yellow cake mix, apple juice, eggs, and vegetable oil until smooth and well combined, ensuring there are no lumps.
- Assemble and Bake: Pour the cake batter evenly over the caramelized apples in the skillet. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Invert: Remove the skillet from the oven and let the cake cool on a rack or stovetop for 5 to 10 minutes. Place a large platter or plate over the skillet, hold it tightly, and carefully invert to release the cake, revealing the caramelized apple topping. Some gentle jiggling may be needed to fully release the cake.
Notes
- Use a well-seasoned or non-stick oven-safe skillet to prevent sticking when inverting the cake.
- If pecans are not desired, they can be omitted without changing the flavor significantly.
- The cake is best served slightly warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
- For a deeper caramel flavor, you can let the apple and sugar mixture cook a minute or two longer, but watch carefully to prevent burning.
- Ensure your skillet handle is oven-safe; otherwise, cover it with foil before baking for safety.