One-Bowl Spiced Apple Upside-Down Cake

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-23 · Updated 2026-05-23

Moist cake topped with caramelized cinnamon-spiced apples baked directly upside-down for a glossy, tender finish. This American-inspired recipe, ready in about 65 minutes, layers unsalted butter, packed brown sugar, large apples into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 8, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 6 tbsp divided unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 peeled, cored, and sliced large apples
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp fine sea salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter and stir in 1/2 cup packed brown sugar until combined. Pour this mixture evenly into the bottom of an 8-inch round cake pan.
2. Step 2: Arrange 2 peeled, cored, and thinly sliced apples evenly over the butter-sugar mixture, then sprinkle with 1 tsp ground cinnamon and 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg.
3. Step 3: In a large bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 1/2 tsp baking powder, and 1/4 tsp fine sea salt.
4. Step 4: In a separate bowl, beat 2 large eggs, then add 1/2 cup whole milk, 2 tbsp softened unsalted butter, and 1 tsp vanilla extract; whisk to combine.
5. Step 5: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined—do not overmix.
6. Step 6: Pour the batter evenly over the apple layer in the cake pan. Bake for 40-45 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the edges start to pull away from the pan.
7. Step 7: Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then carefully invert it onto a serving plate to reveal the caramelized apple topping.