Maple Apple Upside-Down Cake is a delicious twist on the classic upside-down cake, combining the rich flavors of caramelized apples and maple syrup. The tender, buttery cake perfectly complements the sweetness of the apples, creating a dessert that’s both comforting and elegant. This cake is ideal for fall when apples are in season, but it’s a lovely treat any time of year. Serve it warm with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a truly indulgent dessert.
Ingredients:
For the apple topping:
- 2 large apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or your favorite baking apple), peeled, cored, and sliced
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup pure maple syrup
- ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- A pinch of salt
For the cake:
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup buttermilk (or milk with 1 teaspoon of lemon juice)
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan and set it aside.
- Prepare the apple topping:
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter, then add the maple syrup, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Stir and cook for about 2-3 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly.
- Pour the maple mixture into the prepared cake pan, spreading it evenly across the bottom. Arrange the apple slices in a circular pattern on top of the maple mixture, overlapping them slightly if needed.
- Make the cake batter:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
- In a separate large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then mix in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Assemble and bake the cake:
- Carefully spread the cake batter over the apples and maple mixture, smoothing the top with a spatula.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the cake is golden brown.
- Cool and invert the cake:
- Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes. Run a knife around the edges of the pan to loosen the cake, then place a serving plate upside down over the pan. In one quick motion, flip the pan and plate over to invert the cake. Gently lift off the pan to reveal the caramelized apples on top.
- Serve:
- Serve the cake warm, topped with whipped cream, ice cream, or an extra drizzle of maple syrup if desired.
Enjoy this Maple Apple Upside-Down Cake for its beautifully caramelized apples and rich, buttery flavor—a perfect dessert for any occasion!
