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My absolute FAVORITE dessert on the planet is Pineapple Upside Cake. Hands down, no contest.
And my favorite way to eat it is made from a box back home in my mom’s kitchen. We have it every Easter and each buttery, juicy bite is relished.
Another favorite dessert? Easy! Apple pie. Good ole fashioned apple pie with a huge scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Told ya I like fruity desserts the most. 
This cake was made over the weekend for several reasons. First, considering how much I love fruit in my desserts, the selection of them is scarce in my recipe box. I’m no fool. I know you all love chocolate the most! See? Chocolate.
Second, cookies heavily weigh down my recipe archive. I love me a good cookie with my vanilla almond milk, but my cookie sheets deserve a break. See? Cookies.
And finally! I love apples. LOVE you apples! Apple pies, apple crisps, caramel apples, apples & brie, peanut butter apples, apple butter…
Ok. I’m done. 
…apple cider, caramel apple beer. (Blue Moon’s seasonal variety! Yum.)
Waking up Saturday morning, I had a mission. Make a fruity cake and make it GOOD. We’re talking two sticks of butter good. Caramel, cinnamon, crunchy walnut good. Gooey warm apples good.
A fall dessert at its finest, this upside-down cake was born.
Isn’t she pretty?
Let’s get down to the nitty gritty.
The cake is baked in a 9-inch pie dish. It’s a small cake – approximately half the size of a standard cake baked in a 9×13 pan. Without an army to feed, I opt for smaller batch recipes when I can. You could also bake this cake in a small square baking pan, but I loved the triangle slices. Looks fancier. 
The cake itself is incredibly moist and tender. One full stick of butter is creamed with one cup of dark brown sugar. To those ingredients, you’re going to add two whole eggs and milk. The more sugar and fat in a cake’s batter, the more moist the cake will be. Then you’ll add flour, baking powder, and cinnamon. It’s a very simple cake.
Keeping in mind this cake is on the small side, the fat from the butter, 2 eggs, and milk combined with the cup of dark brown sugar… you can imagine how moist and tender each bite is going to be!
It will melt in your mouth.
For that glorious upside-down topping, start with your favorite apples. Sliced thinly, I used 1 medium Granny Smith apple and 1 medium Honeycrisp apple. One tart and one sweet — the perfect balance. I love apple pies baked with a variety of apples, so I went with the same idea here.
One stick of butter is melted down with brown sugar, spices, and vanilla extract. Pour the liquid gold all over your thinly sliced apples and top with walnuts. The walnuts are completely optional, but I loved the crunchy texture they gave to the soft apple topping.
Pour the cake batter all over the topping and bake. The sugary butter topping and the juices from the apples bubble up and caramelize through the cake as it bakes. Your kitchen is going to smell amazing!
Flipping the cake upside down. Timing is key in this step.
Hot from the oven, the fruit layer is still too juicy and fluid for flipping. It will slip n’ slide unevenly over the cake layer. But if the cake cools for too long, the fruit will stick to the pan creating a cake without much of a topping.
The trick is cooling the cake for the perfect amount of time. Go for exactly 10 minutes. This is long enough to allow the fruit topping to firm up and adhere to the cake, but but short enough to allow the cake to be easily released from the pan. The caramelized, glistening topping will be right where it should be.
Love at first bite!
This fruity cake is the motherload of desserts and deserves some spotlight in my recipe archives.
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makes 8-10 slices
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature, divided
- 1 and 2/3 cups dark brown sugar, divided
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 medium apples - peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup milk - regular, soy, or almond (I used vanilla almond milk)
- 1 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
Instructions
- Generously coat a 9-inch pie dish with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside. Make sure your apples are sliced and ready to go.
- In a small saucepan, melt 1 stick of butter on low heat. When it begins to bubble, stir in 2/3 cup dark brown sugar. Continue to stir until smooth. Add 1 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves, and vanilla extract. Stirring constantly, leave on heat for about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool for 1 minute. Pour into prepared baking dish and layer with sliced apples. Sprinkle with walnuts. Set aside.
- Preheat oven to 325F degrees.
- Using a handheld electric mixer, cream one stick butter and 1 cup dark brown sugar until smooth and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Beat in milk and mix until just combined. By hand, stir in 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, flour, and baking powder. Do not overmix - stir until everything is just combined.
- Pour batter over the apples and bake for at least 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the very middle comes out clean. Allow to cool for exactly ten minutes before inverting onto a large serving dish.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
*You may also bake in an 8-inch or 9-inch square baking pan at the same baking time & oven temperature.
*Garnish with additional walnuts or caramel sauce, if desired.
RECIPE SOURCE: SALLYSBAKINGADDICTION.COM
© Sally’s Baking Addiction. All images & content are copyright protected. Please do not use my images without prior permission. If you want to republish this recipe, please re-write the recipe in your own words, or link back to this post for the recipe.
Caramel, apples, & cinnamon scream FALL!
Similar recipes include:
Apple Spice Cupcakes with Salted Caramel Frosting
Salted Triple Caramel Cupcakes
Snickerdoodle White Chocolate Chip Blondies
Gooey Snickers Rice Krispie Treats with Salted Caramel
{ 54 comments… read them below or add one }
Thank you for this cake! It’s gorgeous! It’s beautiful, and uses simple ingredients elevated to amazing levels!
The sauce portion, with the dark brown sugar + butter, then the cake batter with more dark brown sugar and butter. I bet this is one, big, caramely, rich, buttery-infused cake. The caramelization plus the dark brown as opposed to light brown sugar, oh wow, I want a slice. And gorgeous photos. I know it’s an act of faith flipping a cake over a *praying* it all comes out. Knowing you just spent x hours on it and that you have to…take pics of it now
Averie @ Averie Cooks recently posted..Trader Joe’s Cookbook Giveaway
thanks Averie! I was a little nervous about the whole flipping thing. So scared the apples would just slide down the sides, but the 10 minute mark seemed to be the golden hour. Lots of brown sugar & butter here. I use dark brown sugar whenever possible – prefer it much more over light brown! Thanks for the picture compliment – I’m not a pro on shooting cake just yet.
Gorgeous, gorgeous cake! And I’m so glad this is a small cake because I’m sure I would finish the entire thing!
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious recently posted..Chicken Pesto Sandwich
I had a giant slice and just wanted MORE after it! So buttery and the caramely cinnamon apples on top – perfection.
Ooh! Pure decadence! Buttery and juice – I’m totally drooling at the thought of it!
baker street recently posted..#MuffinMonday: Apple Pie Crumb Muffins
Simply perfection!! I mean, when you use the words “buttery caramel” to describe a cake, how can you go wrong?
Colleen @ What’s Baking in the Barbershop?! recently posted..Cinnamon-Sugar Pumpkin Donuts & Donut Holes
Yes! Buttery is the #1 way I’d describe this cake too. Thanks Colleen!
She is a beauty! And I must say that I’m a sucker for apple desserts too…and this one looks heavenly. Ooey, gooey apple cake really does scream fall. This would be awesome for Thanksgiving to go along with the traditional pumpkin pie. Making a mental note as I type this.
Elaine @ Cooking to Perfection recently posted..Mini Crustless Pumpkin Pies
Apple crisps and apple pies – my fave! something so comforting about them this time of year Elaine!
Oh my goodness, this looks amazing! I LOVE fruit recipes, and apples are definitely great…but I’m not crazy about pie crust. This is a wonderful fall alternative. Thanks!
I’m very particular about pie crust! i don’t like it too doughy. With this, you get the same idea but a rich buttery cake instead. thanks caley!
What a gorgeous cake! You know I don’t think I’ve ever actually had pineapple upside down cake. Now I feel like I’ve been missing out!
Jen @ Savory Simple recently posted..Smoked Sea Salt Caramels
Jen, you MUST try an upside down cake! The moistest type of cake there is. Apple or pineapple – you must try one.
Sally, she’s beautiful! What a perfect brainchild of two awesome desserts! Okay, so I’ve never actually had pineapple upside down cake, but it looks awesome and one time I made cupcakes based off it, soooo.. ANYWAYS, those apples look so totally delicious, all caramelized and gooey. I want this so bad!
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel recently posted..Blondie-Covered Brownies
Hayley! YOU MUST try a pineapple upside down cake! There is nothing nothing nothing on earth like it. The moistest cake there is! The fall apple version – just as amazing. You’d love it!
Yes. Yes, I will take this cake and I will open my mouth and I will slowly shove the entire thing inside in one large bite.
Karly recently posted..Maple Cupcakes with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting
I like your thinking.
Wow! This looks so gooey and delish! Where do you find apple cidar beer???
luv what you do recently posted..Delight
I found blue moon’s seasonal caramel apple beer at the local beer shop by my house. It’s a seasonal special beer and I think it’s sold in most places blue moon is. (i think?)
I I love blue moon I am on a mission to find the seasonal this weekend
I am head over heels for all things apple right now, especially upside down apple desserts! (Ever tried a tarte tatin? Fancy way of saying upside down caramel apple tart. I think you’d love it!) Anywhoo, this looks like gorgeous, cinnamon, butter, brown sugar bliss. I also love that it is a smaller size. I tend to crave something new before I can plow my way through an entire 9×13, so this is perfect!
PS> Caramel Apple Beer?? WOW. Sounds amazing. Have you tried their pumpkin seasonal? It’s lovely!
Erin | The Law Students Wife recently posted..Roasted Butternut Squash Pizza
Hi Erin! I’ve never had Tarte Tatin before – but it sounds right up my alley. The smaller size was MUCH needed, especially since it wasn’t made for any occasion over the weekend. I love Blue Moon’s pumpkin beer, yes! You have to try the caramel apple kind.
OK, I urgently need to introduce you to this apple dessert, because all the world deserves to try it. It is apple perfection. I owe Julia Child and Smitten Kitchen for this wonderful recipe:
http://www.thelawstudentswife.com/2012/09/apple-tarte-tatin-upside-down.html
PS. Sorry if you are not a fan of links! I know there are mixed feelings on these from some bloggers. Promise not to bombard you, just really wanted to share this one.
Erin | The Law Students Wife recently posted..Roasted Butternut Squash Pizza
I don’t mind the link drop at all! I loved checking that recipe out – you are right, they are VERY similar!
I love a good fruit dessert! That caramelly goodness on top is incredible!
Jessica@AKitchenAddiction recently posted..Soft Baked Ginger Cookies with Pumpkin Pie Dip
you and I alike, Jessica!
Buttery? Caramely? Appley? This is amazing, Sally! I love the flavor and so creative to make an upside down cake!
Cassie recently posted..Salted Pretzel Bread Bowls
I knew you’d like this Cassie – we share a love for the same dessert flavors
omg you had me at buttery! i love apples, too! this looks so fantastic
Pineapple upside down cakes are my fave too! I could eat that everyday for the rest of my life. I love your apple version too! Looks so much better than a typical apple pie!
Desi recently posted..October’s Secret Recipe Club – Black Bean Corn Salsa
That’s why I loved this recipe so much – it looks fancier and is MUCH easier than an apple pie! I’m all about saving time and effort during the holidays.
Me too! Me too! HUGE apple fan here
This cake looks dangerous – there is no way I could stop at one piece! YUM!
I kept cutting off little slivers for myself – very veyr hard to resist!
Thanks Anna!
Oh my gosh Sally, I love this. I also love that I start all my comments to you with “oh my gosh”
:)
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust recently posted..Cookies ‘n Cream Magic Bars
i start all my comments with OMG. and end with a smiley. it’s ok
Yes, she is! Pretty that is! I love the idea of an upside down apple cake Sally! So gooey with all that luscious caramel and soft baked apples. This is a reminder I haven’t done nearly enough baking with apples although I’ve been eating them every day.
Reeni recently posted..French Onion Butternut Squash Soup with Gruyère
I am an apple fanatic. I eat one every.single.day. And this cake? Is absolutely amazing! It looks so gooey and buttery and caramely and perfect! My mother-in-law just brought me a HUGE basket of apples from their trees, so I just might have an idea of how to use some of ‘em this weekend. My hubby thanks you.
Ashley @ Kitchen Meets Girl recently posted..Pumpkin Waffles with Apple Cider Syrup
I am not a fan of pineapple upside down cake, but I know I would love this, Sally! Apples, caramel, and moist cake? Yum
Laura Dembowski recently posted..Mini Pumpkin Pies with Marshmallow
you’ve got to try the apple version then Laura!
YUMMY! This looks to die for. I wish had some apples so I could whip up this cake right now.
Nicole @ Lapetitebaker recently posted..How I LOVE you Los Angeles
you’re right- triangle slices do look fancier.
yum!
Sarah K. @ The Pajama Chef recently posted..Menu Plan
Oh wow. It looks amazing! I’d normally be, “Eh? Two sticks of butter?” but not when it looks like this. Totally worth it! It’s so pretty and obviously super delicious.
Erin @ Texanerin Baking recently posted..Gluten- and Grain-free Chocolate Spiderweb Cupcakes with Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge Frosting
I just adore cakes like this! I love that it’s simple, not too rich, and still uses seasonal ingredients.
I just made this tonight, bringing it to dinner tomorrow with my father. It looks so good, i hope it tastes as well!!
I made this last night for a holiday party and it was a HIT! I enjoy baking, but do not bake often so I was relieved that this cake was so easy to make. I used two honeycrisp apples, but I would like to try 1 Granny smith, 1 honeycrisp next time I make it (and I definitely will) for the tart/sweet contrast.
This is also the first recipe I’ve tried from your blog and I am excited to try more, but I am having a difficult time trying to pick from all the amazing choices!
Thank you for your amazing recipes, Sally!
Hi Kaela! This comment really sticks out to me because this is one of my favorite recipes. By far. I love this cake SO much. Apple desserts are my very favorite. I’ve made this is honey crisps before (my favorite apple!) and granny smiths before. Love the tart/sweet contrast too. You’d love that version. I can’t wait to hear about more recipes you try Kaela! And you have a pretty name!
Hi Sally! I made this for my dad’s birthday last weekend and it turned out SOOO well! Everyone loved it. I was so worried about flipping the cake out of the pan, but I waited exactly 10 minutes and it worked perfectly. The cake was both beautiful and delicious. Thank you SO much for the recipe. I’ll definitely be making it again.
Hi Stephanie! So glad you reported back about this cake – I LOVE it so much and in fact, am planning to make a spin-off version of it again this weekend. I do love how pretty it is too – a stunning cake. Glad you loved it as much as I do!
Sally, you overwhelm me.
I’d ask you to stop…but….I think I’d rather learn how to limit myself.
Sorry for overwhelming you Audrey! Sort of.
This cake is the epitome of perfection
I have my third one cooling as I type, ready for mothers day in the UK tomorrow…so so good, thank you 
Hey Kerri! I LOVE this cake so much!! I’m glad you loved it too. Happy Mother’s Day for all of you over in the UK!
Just made it- its perfect! So moist, and apples with caramel..mmm..just heaven! Thanks for the recipe! Keep awesome job going:)
That’s great to hear Olga! I love this cake so much – it’s my favorite dessert.