Description
A tender, spiced cake topped with caramelized apples for a dessert that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. Perfect for any occasion, this vegan-friendly Apple Upside Down Cake combines warm spices, sweet apples, and a moist cake base to create a show-stopping treat.
Ingredients
For the Apple Topping:
- 1/2 cup vegan butter (or unsalted butter)
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 medium apples, peeled and sliced
For the Cake:
- 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 (optional)
- 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 the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease the sides of a 9-inch round cake pan with vegan butter or nonstick spray. Leave the bottom ungreased.
- Prepare the Apple Topping:
- In a small saucepan, melt the vegan butter and brown sugar over medium heat, whisking until smooth.
- Cook for 1 minute until the mixture thickens slightly. Remove from heat and stir in cinnamon and vanilla extract.
- Pour the caramel mixture into the prepared cake pan and spread evenly.
- Arrange the apple slices over the caramel in a single layer, creating a pattern if desired.
- Make the Cake Batter:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg (if using), and salt.
- Add the melted vegan butter, applesauce, soy milk, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Stir gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
- Assemble and Bake:
- Carefully pour the batter over the apples, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Flip:
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 5 minutes.
- Place a serving dish or cake stand over the pan and carefully flip it over. Gently lift the pan to reveal the apple topping.
- Serve:
- Serve warm with a scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for the ultimate dessert experience.
Notes
- Apple Variety: Use firm apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji for the best results.
- Vegan Substitutes: To make this non-vegan, replace vegan butter with regular butter and soy milk with dairy milk.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat slices in the microwave for a few seconds before serving.
- Freezing Option: Wrap the cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Gluten-Free Option: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend that contains xanthan gum.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35–40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American