So this was the first thing I rushed to make after we went apple picking. I've been craving this cake all year and I waited because I knew I wanted to go apple picking and use those apples to make the cake. When we went to the main part of the farm to pick up our picking permits, I browsed through their pre-picked apple selection and I immediately fell in love with their Cortland and Staymared apples because they had that "dusty" looking coating that blueberries get (which actually helps them repel water) so we went directly to those orchards.
Now's about the time I explain to you that I am not naturally the outdoorsy type. I used to be when I was with Vlad, but I eventually went back to my hermit ways. I love the thought of having fun outdoor adventures. I just can't stand the heat and more importantly, bugs. Plus I am basically allergic to everything outside. So as soon as we reach the orchards, my allergies kicked which in turn started giving me issues with my asthma. And of course this happened to be the one time I take my inhaler out of my purse because the one I kept inside the house ran out. So I was huffing and puffing and trying not to start an attack in the middle of an apple field. At the same time, I didn't want to miss out on the opportunity to pick apples because it is so much fun.
So here I am walking at a snails pace scared that I was going to have an asthma attack while searching through the trees for the best apples. And of course all the best ones had to be at the top, so I ended up picking my daughter up so she could grab them for me. We had a ton of tun at the end of it all and despite the fact that their apples were just over $1 a pound, I still ended up spending a ton on apples. I also bought some apple cider, peach cider, and apple cider doughnuts for us to munch on during the ride home.
We are actually going back today to go for a hayride and pumpkin picking. I love this particular farm because the hayrides are cheap and they come with the ability to pick one pumpkin AND you get a free apple cider doughnut and apple cider. Suh-weet!
Anyway, the caramel apple upside down cake. Yeah. It's yummy caramel goodness that soaks right into a simple, buttery cake. But it's got apples, so it counts as a breakfast food. I recommend making at least two of these (the recipe is easily doubled or triples) because they don't last long. At least they didn't in my house. I made three. One for us, another for my grandmom and aunt (my grandmoms diabetic, so it's mostly so she doesn't feel left out) and one for the neighbors. Well... my family ended up eating two and a half over night. Oops.
Recipe Card
Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature, divided
- 1 ¼ cups sugar divded
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon divided
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract divided
- 1 large apple or two medium apples peeled and sliced to medium thickness
- 1 ½ cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon ginger
- ½ teaspoon cardamom
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon cloves
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- ½ cup nonfat Greek yogurt
Special Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F. Take out a 9-inch cake pan and lightly grease.
- In a skillet, heat half the butter until melted and slightly bubbly. Add one cup of the sugar and cook until a caramel brown color. Add in half the cinnamon and vanilla extract and stir well.
- Pour the caramel mixture into the baking pan and make sure it is spread evenly on the bottom.
- Place the apple slices onto your baking pan over the caramel. They should be fairly close together, but not too tight. You might not need to use all of the apple slices, depending on the size of your apples. That's okay. They make a good snack while your cake is baking.
- In a small bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, remaining cinnamon, ginger, cardamom and salt together. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl cream the remaining butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time and beat well between each egg. Add in the remaining vanilla and the yogurt.
- Pour the flour mixture into the wet ingredients and mix until combined. the batter should be quite thick.
- Pour the cake batter over the apples and spread to the edges. Since the batter is so thick, it will take some gentle coaxing to get the batter to spread evenly. You don't want to work it too hard otherwise the apple slices will start moving around.
- Bake for about 30 - 35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool for 10 minutes. Run a knife along the edges of the cake, then place a plate over the pan and carefully, but quickly turn over the pan and plate so that the pan is on top. Carefully remove the pan and the cake should come out easily. Wait 10 minutes before slicing.
Nutrition
linked up at Miz Helen Country Cottage
Lisa @ Healthy Nibbles & Bits says
I still haven't gone apple picking yet, but I really need to change that soon. What a gorgeous cake you made with the apples!
Ariel says
This looks AMAZING! It sounds like you had a fun adventure grabbing apples too 🙂 I can't wait to try this out this week! It looks like the perfect fall dessert! Thanks for sharing!
Wajeeha says
This looks so good...I wish I could go for apple picking but I live in a desert! I wish I could take a fork and dive into the screen...caramel and apple are such a delicious combination! 🙂
Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health says
i have not gone apple picking or anything picking for that matter..so i will be vicariously living through other peoples post and currently drooling at this recipe!
Christine | Vermilion Roots says
Whoa. This cake! I want it. Seriously. 🙂
Rosemary @anitalianinmykitchen says
Hi Amanda, I miss being home for the apple and pumpkin picking, always so much fun. Your cake looks amazing, can't wait to try it.
Amanda says
Apple and pumpkin picking are my favorite. I hope you get to do it again soon!
Beeta @ Mon Petit Four says
This cake looks incredible, Amanda! I love that caramel apple goodness, and the fact that they're made with fresh apples from the orchard can only mean this cake is sensational! So sorry that you were having allergy/asthma issues while you were picking out the apples. I've never had asthma but I imagine it to be a scary thing when you feel like you're going to have an attack. At least all ended well - I would have totally loved to be on that car ride home with the cider doughnuts! 🙂
Amanda says
After my last serious attack I learned how to keep myself calm and not exert myself which can set it off. I do well delegating work though! 😉 and yeah, apples right from the orchard are incredible!!!
Allison says
This is so incredibly gorgeous! I can only imagine it is as delicious as it looks. I have a bag apples that I think I need to turn into a cake now.
Amanda says
Yes, you really need to make it! The caramel is kind of addictive. I may have taken a spatula to the leftover caramel in the pan when I made this!!
Michelle @ My Gluten-free Kitchen says
I adore recipes with apples! I would to make a gluten-free version of this! It looks delicious!
Amanda says
I'd love to hear how the gluten free version comes out!!
Jenn @ Peas and Crayons says
I always joke that I'm allergic to life 😉 haha the outdoors slay me! as does your beautiful photos -- this cake looks phenomenal Amanda!
Amanda says
Thank you!! I wish there was a way to get rid of allergies for good!!
Julia (@Imagelicious) says
It's all about apples now and I Love it. This cake looks super delicious!
Amanda says
Yes, I love apple season! Thank you!
Samina @ The Cupcake Confession says
This looks absolutely fabulous!
Amanda says
Thank you!!
nicole (thespicetrain.com) says
This cake looks gorgeous, Amanda! So sorry to hear about your allergies, I know how terrible that can be. Glad to hear that you still had a lot of fun!
Amanda says
Thank you! I'm pretty used to having to struggle through allergies or else I'd never be able to do anything haha!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
This cake is absolutely stunning- your pictures are awesome! Pinning 🙂
Renee says
I haven't fixed this yet but will be today for my bunco group of ladies tomorrow and our potluck. I have never had an Apple Upside down cake, but have had a Pineapple upside down cake that my Mom used to fix in a heavy iron skillet. I am going to fix this in my iron skillet and see how it works. Thanks, looks Yummy!