Apple Upside Down Cake

Inspired by the classic French dessert, Tarte Tatin, this cake recipe from our partner Dan Pelosi (@grossypelosi) has a layer of apples nestled in a rich caramel sauce on the bottom of the pan. Instead of pastry, the caramel apples are topped with an easy one-bowl cake recipe. Bring the warm cake right to the table in the Signature Everyday Pan and flip it onto a plate for an impressive tableside presentation.

Apple Cake

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 stick unsalted butter, melted

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups applesauce

2 eggs

2 cups all purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon kosher salt

Caramel Sauce

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

3/4 cup heavy cream, room temperature

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature

1/8 cup apple cider vinegar

1 teaspoon kosher salt 

4 cups thinly sliced apples, preferably gala or granny smith

Ice cream or whipped cream

For the cake:

Preheat oven to 350°F.

In a large mixing bowl, stir together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, melted butter, vanilla, applesauce, eggs, flour, baking soda, and salt until well combined. Set aside while making the caramel sauce.

For the caramel sauce:

Heat the granulated sugar and brown sugar in a wide, deep pan set over medium heat until the sugars turn into a light golden-brown liquid, about 5-8 minutes. Carefully add the heavy cream, butter, apple cider vinegar and salt and continue to stir until everything begins to harden slightly. Turn the heat down to low and keep stirring until sauce smooths out, about 5-10 minutes longer. Turn off the heat and spread the sliced apples in a layer on top of the caramel sauce. Pour the cake batter over the top of the apples and spread into an even layer.

Place pan in the preheated oven and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow the cake to set for 10 minutes, then carefully invert onto a plate so apples are on top. Serve slices topped with ice cream or whipped cream.