A slice of warm delicious down home caramel apple upside down cake is sure to bring a smile to your face. Add a scoop of ice cream to this spiced cake for an extra special fall treat.
This upside-down apple skillet cake has a caramel apple bottom that becomes the top when you flip it out. We love baking it in a cast iron skillet, but don’t worry if you don’t have one as that isn’t absolutely necessary. The tips for making it in a cake pan are listed below.
When fall and apple season roll around, it is time to break out the warmer flavors of caramel and cinnamon. While the fresh flavors of summer are great, it is always fun to return to these cozy flavors.
This caramel apple upside down skillet cake is the perfect way to highlight those autumnal flavors and feelings together in one delicious dessert. It is part spice cake and part sticky caramel apple.
It is great on its own, but of course a scoop of ice cream and drizzle of caramel make it even more decadent. It is sure to become a family favorite recipe that is requested every autumn.
Making the Cake
Imagine the smells of warm brown sugar, apples and cinnamon baking in your cast iron skillet. In fact, don’t imagine it…
Get yourself moving towards your kitchen so you can make this happen asap! The apple orchards are starting to bring in the new harvest and there is no time like the present to celebrate.
Not only will you have the joy of making something super delicious, but your house will smell amazing. Everyone who enters your kitchen will know something good is about to happen!
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Luckily this cake is easy enough to whip up. There is a simple caramel apple layer that incorporates some of our favorite baking spices to make it extra aromatic and flavorful.
The cake itself comes together quickly and you can have the skillet in the oven in no time at all. Which is good, because you are going to want to dive in as soon as possible.
Start by making a simple brown sugar caramel sauce. Then it is time for the apples.
We like using slices and arranging them nicely. However, you can dice them and throw them in if you prefer.
The cake is easier to eat if you peel the apples, but again this is a personal preference and it will still taste good if you don’t want to remove the skins.
After the cake is baked, you will want to let it cool for about 10 minutes, then invert it onto your serving platter. Letting it cool completely will almost certainly make the cake stick to the pan as the brown sugar mixture solidifies.
Make sure to serve this warm with your favorite vanilla ice cream. People will remember this cake for a long-long time.
Can You Use Something Besides A Cast Ion Skillet?
Of course you can! Just make the butter and brown sugar mixture in a saucepan and pour it into a 9″ cake pan. After that, just follow the instructions in the recipe.
Possible variations to try:
- Use dark brown sugar for an even deeper caramel-y molasses flavor
- Toss some chopped pecans or walnuts in with the apple and buttery brown sugar mixture
- For a milder spice flavor omit the cloves and add just a dash of nutmeg
Upside Down Caramel Apple Skillet Cake
Ingredients
Caramel Apple Layer
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- ⅔ cup light brown sugar packed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon grated nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 medium apples peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
Cake
- ½ cup butter softened
- 1 cup light brown sugar packed
- 2 large eggs
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup milk
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
Instructions
Caramel Layer
- In a 9 inch cast-iron skillet, melt a stick of butter on medium low heat. When it begins to bubble stir in the brown sugar.½ cup unsalted butter, ⅔ cup light brown sugar
- Continue stirring until smooth and bubbling, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and vanilla. Allow to cool while you make the cake layer.1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon grated nutmeg, ¼ teaspoon ground cloves, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cake
- Preheat the oven to 325°F.
- Cream butter and brown sugar with your hand mixer until smooth and fluffy.½ cup butter, 1 cup light brown sugar
- Beat in the eggs one at a time. Add milk and mix until combined.2 large eggs, ¼ cup milk
- Stir in the cinnamon, flour and baking powder by hand. Stir just until combined.½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1½ cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder
- Arrange the apples over the caramel mixture. Spoon the cake batter over the apples and bake for 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of cake comes out clean.3 medium apples
- Allow to cool for 10 minutes before inverting onto a serving dish.
- Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce if desired.
Video
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This dessert speaks to my soul…it looks just perfect!
You are going to love it!
This looks delicious!! If I give this a try in my round cake pan do I need to spray the pan before putting the butter/brown sugar mixture in it? Just wanted to make sure… thanks so much! 🙂
I would. Your cake pan won't have the seasoning of a cast iron skillet. I can't wait to hear what you think!
All I have to say is – YES PLEASE!
Any time!
This is so delicious. This will definitely become a family favorite.
I am sure it will!
I'm drooling. This looks soooo good, Carlee! Save a slice (or three) for me!
I'd love to share some with you!
Looks so full of Fall flavor and yumminess! Skillet goodies are becoming a thing around here, I must make this. Have a great start to your week!
It is soooooo good and perfect for all. Bring on the skillet goodies!!
Looks so tasty, Carlee–pinning this! Thanks for sharing at Funtastic Friday!
Thank you!
This sounds so tasty!
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Thanks, Jess!
YUM! Pinned! 🙂
Thanks!
Never tried an apple upside down cake, but it sounds amazing!!
Any upside down cake is a good one in my book! Thanks for the fun party!