Print

Salted Caramel Apple Upside-Down Cake with Cinnamon Cream

salted caramel apple upside-down cake - featured image
Print Recipe

A cozy and easy-to-make upside-down cake featuring thick-sliced apples soaked in salted caramel, topped with a moist cake batter and served with a fluffy cinnamon cream. Perfect for warm, comforting gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 large apples, peeled, cored, and sliced thick (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
  • ½ cup (120 ml) salted caramel sauce
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1½ cups (190 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • ½ cup (120 ml) whole milk (or almond/oat milk for dairy-free)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream
  • ¼ cup (30 g) powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). In a skillet or cake pan, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Stir in ½ cup salted caramel sauce and 1 teaspoon cinnamon until smooth. Arrange sliced apples in a circular pattern over the caramel mixture.
  2. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt.
  3. Using an electric mixer, beat softened butter and granulated sugar until pale and fluffy, about 3–4 minutes.
  4. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract.
  5. Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk to the butter mixture, starting and ending with dry ingredients. Mix gently until just combined.
  6. Pour batter evenly over the apple and caramel layer. Smooth the top with a spatula.
  7. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and edges pull slightly from the pan.
  8. Let cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Place a serving plate over the pan and carefully invert the cake. If apples stick, gently lift and place them back on top.
  9. While cake cools, beat cream cheese until smooth. Whip heavy cream until soft peaks form. Gradually add powdered sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla to cream cheese, then fold in whipped cream until fluffy.
  10. Slice cake and serve warm or at room temperature with dollops of cinnamon cream.

Notes

Use tart apples like Granny Smith for balance or sweeter varieties like Honeycrisp. Butter should be softened but not melted. If caramel is runny, simmer to thicken before layering. Let cake cool 15 minutes before flipping to prevent sticking. Chill mixer beaters for fluffier cinnamon cream. For dairy-free, substitute butter with coconut oil, use dairy-free caramel, and replace cream cheese and heavy cream with whipped coconut cream.

Nutrition

Keywords: salted caramel, apple upside-down cake, cinnamon cream, cozy dessert, easy cake recipe, fall dessert, caramel apple cake

Find it online: https://juliamadeit.com/salted-caramel-apple-upside-down-cake-recipe-easy-cozy-dessert-with-cinnamon-cream/