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
Scale
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
