Description
This Apple Upside Down Cake features tender apple slices soaked in a rich vegan caramel sauce atop a fluffy, spiced cake. Perfect for fall or any time you want a comforting dessert, it’s completely plant-based and easy to prepare with familiar pantry ingredients.
Ingredients
Apple Topping
- 1/2 cup vegan butter
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 medium apples, peeled and sliced into 1/4 inch slices
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
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup melted vegan butter or oil
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/4 cup unsweetened soy milk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven and grease pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Butter the sides of a 9-inch cake pan, but you don’t need to butter the bottom. Set this prepared pan aside for later.
- Prepare the apple topping: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the vegan butter and brown sugar. Whisk occasionally until the butter has fully melted and the mixture is smooth, about 1 minute, whisking constantly towards the end. Remove the pan from heat and stir in the ground cinnamon and vanilla extract. Pour this caramel-like sauce evenly into the bottom of the prepared cake pan. Arrange the peeled and quarter-inch sliced apples neatly over the sauce layer.
- Make the cake batter: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until evenly combined. Pour in the melted vegan butter (or oil), unsweetened applesauce, soy milk, and vanilla extract. Stir gently until just combined, taking care not to overmix to keep the cake fluffy.
- Assemble and bake: Pour the prepared batter gently over the arranged apples in the cake pan, spreading it evenly. 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: Once baked, let the cake cool in the pan for about 5 minutes. Then carefully invert the cake onto a serving dish so the apple topping is on top. This will reveal the beautiful caramelized apple layer.
- Serve: Serve warm or at room temperature with optional dairy-free vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an extra treat. Store any leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Notes
- For gluten-free option, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free all-purpose blend.
- Feel free to swap apples with other firm fruits such as pears for a different twist.
- Using vegan butter keeps this recipe plant-based and dairy-free.
- Ensure apples are sliced evenly into 1/4 inch slices for uniform cooking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
