If you’re searching for a showstopping dessert that brings together the nutty depth of brown butter and the sweet-tart brightness of apples, look no further than this Brown Butter Apple Upside Down Cake. With its glossy caramelized apple topping and tender, aromatic crumb, each bite is a cozy celebration of fall flavors and pure comfort. The best part? It’s surprisingly simple to whip up, making it just as perfect for a special occasion as it is for an impromptu gathering with friends.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this recipe for Brown Butter Apple Upside Down Cake has a purpose, contributing to the cake’s irresistible flavor, texture, or color. By using fresh, quality ingredients, you’ll ensure every slice tastes like a warm hug straight from the oven.
- Unsalted Butter (for both topping and cake): Browning the butter infuses the cake with a deep, nutty flavor and gives the apples a rich, glossy finish.
- Brown Sugar: Creates the caramelized, slightly sticky apple topping that makes this cake so eye-catching and delicious.
- Apples (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith): Their firmness holds up beautifully when baked, and their tartness balances the sweetness perfectly.
- Ground Cinnamon: Adds warmth and a hint of spice to both the topping and the cake, making each bite feel like fall.
- Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cake base and helps create a light, tender crumb.
- Eggs: Provide structure and richness, ensuring the cake is moist and satisfying.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the cake’s flavor with its sweet, floral aroma.
- All-Purpose Flour: The backbone of the cake, giving it just the right amount of structure.
- Baking Powder: Ensures the cake rises beautifully and stays light.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and intensifies all the flavors.
- Ground Nutmeg: Offers a subtle, earthy warmth that plays beautifully with the apples.
- Whole Milk: Adds moisture and helps the batter come together smoothly for a tender crumb.
How to Make Brown Butter Apple Upside Down Cake
Step 1: Prepare the Pan and Preheat
Before you dive in, preheat your oven to 350°F and grab a 9-inch round cake pan. Grease it generously and line the bottom with parchment paper for easy unmolding. This simple step ensures your Brown Butter Apple Upside Down Cake comes out picture-perfect every time.
Step 2: Make the Apple Topping
In a small saucepan, melt 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar and cinnamon, and let it bubble for about 2 minutes to create a rich, caramel-like base. Pour this mixture into your prepared cake pan and, while it’s still warm, arrange the apple slices in a beautiful circular pattern on top. The apples will soften and caramelize as the cake bakes, becoming irresistibly glossy and flavorful.
Step 3: Brown the Butter
Now, for the star of the show: brown butter! In a separate saucepan, melt 1/2 cup of butter over medium heat. Keep a close eye as it foams and then turns a gorgeous golden hue, releasing a nutty aroma (about 4–5 minutes). Immediately remove from heat and let it cool slightly. This step is what sets this Brown Butter Apple Upside Down Cake apart, infusing the batter with depth and complexity.
Step 4: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. This step ensures the leavening and spices are evenly distributed, so every bite of cake is perfectly spiced and tender.
Step 5: Make the Cake Batter
In another bowl, beat together the cooled brown butter and granulated sugar until combined. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each and then stir in the vanilla extract. Gradually add the dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Stir just until you have a smooth, luscious batter—overmixing can make the cake tough, so take it easy!
Step 6: Assemble and Bake
Gently pour the cake batter over your arranged apples, smoothing the top with a spatula. Pop the pan into your preheated oven and bake for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The smell will be absolutely intoxicating!
Step 7: Unmold and Cool
Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes (this helps the topping set a bit). Then, with a confident flip, invert the cake onto a serving plate and peel away the parchment. You’ll reveal a jewel-like layer of caramelized apples atop a golden, tender crumb. Let it cool slightly before slicing—if you can wait!
How to Serve Brown Butter Apple Upside Down Cake
Garnishes
A dollop of freshly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream is pure magic on a warm slice of Brown Butter Apple Upside Down Cake. For a little extra flair, sprinkle with a dusting of cinnamon or a drizzle of caramel sauce. Even a few toasted pecans or walnuts add crunch and nutty complexity.
Side Dishes
This cake is delightful on its own, but it also pairs beautifully with a hot mug of spiced chai, a creamy cappuccino, or even a glass of cold apple cider. For a brunch spread, serve alongside fresh fruit or a platter of cheeses for a sweet-savory balance.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to impress, try baking the Brown Butter Apple Upside Down Cake in mini muffin tins for individual servings. Or, serve slices fanned out on a rustic wooden board, garnished with edible flowers and thin apple slices for a stunning centerpiece. For a twist, use pears or a mix of apples and pears for a variation that’s equally delicious.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Brown Butter Apple Upside Down Cake keeps well at room temperature, tightly covered, for up to two days. For longer storage, pop it in the fridge where it stays moist and flavorful for up to four days. Just bring it to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
Freezing
To freeze, wrap individual slices or the entire cake tightly in plastic wrap, then in foil. The cake will keep in the freezer for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature for a few hours before enjoying.
Reheating
To recapture that just-baked warmth and aroma, gently reheat slices of Brown Butter Apple Upside Down Cake in the microwave for 15–20 seconds, or in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes. This brings the caramel back to life and makes the cake extra comforting.
FAQs
What kind of apples work best for Brown Butter Apple Upside Down Cake?
Firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp are ideal. They keep their shape during baking and their tartness balances the cake’s sweetness beautifully.
Can I make this cake gluten-free?
Absolutely! Just substitute a good-quality 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for the regular flour and check your baking powder is gluten-free. The texture will be slightly different, but the flavor will still shine.
Does the cake need to be served warm?
While Brown Butter Apple Upside Down Cake is especially delightful warm (that caramel topping gets gooey and dreamy), it’s also delicious at room temperature. If you’d like, reheat individual slices just before serving.
Can I use a different pan size?
A 9-inch round cake pan gives the perfect thickness, but you can use an 8-inch pan for a taller cake (just add a few extra minutes to the bake time). Avoid pans that are too large, as the cake may turn out thin.
What’s the best way to invert the cake without breaking it?
Let the cake rest for about 10 minutes after baking, then run a knife around the edge. Place your serving plate on top of the pan and, using oven mitts, flip it over in one smooth motion. Peel off the parchment, and you’re rewarded with a beautiful caramelized top!
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving a dessert that’s both simple and spectacular, this Brown Butter Apple Upside Down Cake is destined to become a new favorite. With its cozy flavors and stunning presentation, it’s a treat you’ll want to share again and again. Give it a try—you might just find yourself baking it on repeat, no special occasion required!
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Brown Butter Apple Upside Down Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Brown Butter Apple Upside Down Cake is a moist, flavorful dessert featuring tender apples caramelized in a buttery brown sugar topping, combined with a warmly spiced cake batter infused with brown butter for a rich, nutty aroma. Perfect for fall gatherings or cozy nights, this classic American dessert balances sweetness and spice beautifully.
Ingredients
Apple Topping
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Cake
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup whole milk
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan and line the bottom with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Make the Apple Topping: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 3 tablespoons of butter. Stir in the brown sugar and cinnamon, cooking until the mixture is bubbly and combined, about 2 minutes. Pour this caramel mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared cake pan. Then arrange the thinly sliced apples over the sugar in a circular pattern for a beautiful presentation.
- Brown the Butter: In a separate saucepan, melt 1/2 cup of butter over medium heat. Continuously stir and cook until it foams and turns a golden brown color with a nutty aroma, about 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat immediately to prevent burning and set aside to cool slightly.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg until thoroughly combined.
- Make Cake Batter: In a large mixing bowl, beat the browned butter with granulated sugar until fully combined and smooth. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract. Alternately add the dry ingredients and the whole milk to the butter mixture in three additions, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix gently just until combined, avoiding overmixing to keep the cake tender.
- Assemble and Bake: Pour the batter evenly over the arranged apples in the cake pan, spreading it smoothly with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Cool and Invert: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then carefully run a knife around the edges to loosen it. Invert the cake onto a serving plate and remove the pan and parchment paper. Let it cool slightly before slicing to serve.
Notes
- Choose firm apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for the best balance of texture and tartness.
- Serve the cake warm topped with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.
- This cake can be prepared ahead of time and gently reheated before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 27g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 41g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
