Description
Apple upside down cake is a delightful blend of caramelized cinnamon-spiced apples and soft, fluffy cake. This visually stunning and dairy-free dessert is perfect for cozy evenings, special occasions, or as a treat for family and friends.
Ingredients
For the Apple Topping:
- 1/2 cup vegan butter (or regular butter if not vegan)
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 medium apples, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch slices
For the Cake Batter:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup melted vegan butter or oil
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/4 cup unsweetened soy milk (or any plant-based milk)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Your Oven
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease the sides of a 9-inch cake pan with vegan butter or cooking spray.
- Make the Apple Topping
- In a small saucepan, combine vegan butter and brown sugar over medium heat. Whisk occasionally until melted and smooth, about 1 minute.
- Remove from heat and stir in cinnamon and vanilla extract.
- Pour the caramel mixture into the bottom of the prepared cake pan.
- Arrange the apple slices in a circular pattern over the caramel, overlapping slightly for a decorative look.
- Prepare the Cake Batter
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, mix melted vegan butter, applesauce, soy milk, and vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; the batter should be thick but smooth.
- Assemble the Cake
- Pour the cake batter over the apple slices, spreading it evenly with a spatula to cover the fruit completely.
- Bake the Cake
- Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Invert the Cake
- Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 5 minutes.
- Run a knife along the edges to loosen the sides.
- Place a serving plate upside down over the pan, then carefully invert the cake onto the plate. Gently lift the pan to reveal the caramelized apple topping.
- Serve and Enjoy
- Serve warm or at room temperature. Pair with a scoop of dairy-free vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an extra indulgent treat.
Notes
- Apple choice: Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji apples work best as they hold their shape during baking.
- Prevent sticking: Use a parchment paper circle in the pan for easy removal if desired.
- Adjust sweetness: Reduce the sugar in the batter or topping for a less sweet dessert.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American