Rustic Caramel Apple Upside-Down Cake
Indulge in the delightful layers of our Rustic Caramel Apple Upside-Down Cake, a perfectly moist dessert that embodies the flavors of fresh apples and spiced caramel. This cake is a breeze to prepare, making it ideal for novice bakers and satisfying enough for seasoned pros. With versatility at its core, this recipe accommodates any type of apple, showcasing their sweet and tangy nature. Whether it's a cozy family dinner, a festive gathering, or a casual afternoon treat, this cake will surely impress with its rich flavors and beautiful presentation. Serve it warm, topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a warm, comforting dessert that is simply irresistible. Your guests will be left in awe, and their taste buds will be tantalized!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Butter
1/3 cup (cut up)
Brown Sugar
1/3 cup (packed)
Cooking Apples
6 small (halved, stems removed, cored (1-1/4 to 1-1/2 lb.))
All-Purpose Flour
1 1/3 cups
Granulated Sugar
2/3 cup
Baking Powder
2 teaspoons
Ground Ginger
1 teaspoon
Ground Cinnamon
1 teaspoon
Milk
2/3 cup
Butter
1/4 cup (softened)
Egg
1
Vanilla Extract
1 teaspoon
Vanilla Ice Cream
optional
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a 9x9x2-inch baking pan, add 1/3 cup of butter. Place the pan in the oven for about 5 minutes or until the butter is melted.
3
Remove the pan from the oven and sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over the melted butter. Gently stir to combine.
4
Arrange the halved apples, cut side down, in the butter and brown sugar mixture. Bake in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes or until the mixture is bubbly.
5
While the apples are baking, peel and coarsely shred the remaining cooking apples and set aside.
6
In a mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, ground ginger, and ground cinnamon. Mix together until evenly combined.
7
Add the shredded apples, milk, softened butter, egg, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Mix on low speed with an electric mixer until the batter is combined, then increase to medium speed for 1 minute to aerate the batter.
8
Carefully spoon the batter over the baked apples in the pan, spreading it evenly. Some apple and butter may remain exposed.
9
Bake the cake in the preheated oven for about 35 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
10
Once baked, allow the cake to cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 5 minutes. Use a spatula to loosen the edges before inverting it onto a serving platter.
11
Spoon any remaining caramel topping from the pan over the top of the inverted cake.
12
Let the cake cool for an additional 20 minutes before slicing and serving. For an extra treat, serve each slice warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Rustic Caramel Apple Upside-Down Cake?
It is a moist dessert featuring layers of fresh apples and spiced caramel, baked with the fruit on the bottom and inverted before serving.
What type of apples should I use for this recipe?
The recipe is versatile and accommodates any type of cooking apple, though it specifically recommends using 6 small cooking apples weighing about 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 pounds.
How do I prepare the apples for the base?
You should halve the apples, remove the stems, and core them before arranging them cut side down in the butter and sugar mixture.
What is the purpose of shredding some of the apples?
Coarsely shredded apples are mixed into the cake batter to add moisture and ensure a consistent apple flavor throughout the dessert.
What size baking pan is required?
A 9x9x2-inch baking pan is needed for this recipe.
How do I melt the butter for the caramel layer?
Place 1/3 cup of butter in the baking pan and put it in the oven at 350°F for about 5 minutes until melted.
How long do the apples need to bake before adding the batter?
The halved apples should bake in the butter and brown sugar mixture for 10 to 15 minutes or until the mixture is bubbly.
What spices are used in the cake batter?
The batter is seasoned with 1 teaspoon of ground ginger and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
How should I mix the cake batter?
Mix the ingredients on low speed with an electric mixer until combined, then increase to medium speed for 1 minute to aerate the batter.
At what temperature should the oven be set?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
How long does the cake take to bake once the batter is added?
The cake bakes for approximately 35 minutes.
How can I tell when the cake is finished baking?
The cake is done when a wooden toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
How long should the cake cool before inverting it?
Allow the cake to cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 5 minutes before inverting.
What should I do if some caramel stays in the pan after inverting?
Use a spoon to drizzle any remaining caramel topping from the pan over the top of the inverted cake.
Is it better to serve this cake warm or cold?
It is best served warm, particularly with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a comforting dessert experience.
How long should the cake rest after being inverted?
Let the cake cool for an additional 20 minutes after inverting before you slice and serve it.
Can I use granulated sugar for the caramel topping?
The recipe specifies brown sugar for the topping to create a rich caramel flavor; granulated sugar is used in the cake batter itself.
Does the batter need to cover the apples completely?
You should spread the batter evenly, though some apple and butter may remain exposed before baking.
Is this recipe suitable for beginner bakers?
Yes, the recipe is described as a breeze to prepare and ideal for novice bakers.
What role does the baking powder play?
Baking powder acts as the leavening agent to help the cake rise and become light and airy.
Should I use an electric mixer?
An electric mixer is recommended to properly aerate the batter during the 1-minute medium-speed mixing phase.
What is the total amount of butter used in this recipe?
The recipe uses 1/3 cup of butter for the topping and an additional 1/4 cup of softened butter for the batter.
Do I need to grease the pan?
Greasing is not explicitly required as the first step involves melting a significant amount of butter directly in the pan.
Can I substitute the vanilla extract?
While vanilla extract provides the best flavor, you could use almond extract or vanilla bean paste as alternatives.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
A 9x9 pan typically provides 9 generous square servings.
Should the egg be at room temperature?
While not specified, using a room-temperature egg helps it incorporate more easily into the batter.
Can I use milk alternatives like almond or soy milk?
Yes, most non-dairy milks can be substituted for the 2/3 cup of milk in this cake recipe.
What should I do if the edges of the cake stick to the pan?
Use a spatula to gently loosen the edges of the cake before attempting to invert it onto a platter.
Is the vanilla ice cream required?
No, the ice cream is an optional topping but is highly recommended for serving.
How do I prepare the pan for inversion?
Ensure you have a serving platter large enough to hold the 9x9 cake and any caramel sauce that may run down the sides.