Apple Upside-Down Cake

Total Time Prep: 25 min. Bake: 30 min. + cooling
Yield 8 servings
Contest Winner
Test Kitchen Approved
This apple upside-down cake is a clever way to use up extra apples, and it's easy to throw together for any sweet occasion.

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup butter, melted
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 3 medium tart apples, peeled and sliced
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
  • CAKE:
  • 3 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 3 tablespoons sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon apple brandy or rum, optional

Directions

  1. Pour butter into an ungreased 9-in. round baking pan; sprinkle with 1/2 cup brown sugar. Arrange apples in a single layer over brown sugar; layer with walnuts and remaining brown sugar.
  2. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon; add to the creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk and sour cream, beating well after each addition. Beat in brandy if desired.
  3. Spoon batter over brown sugar layer. Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before inverting onto a serving plate. Serve warm.

Nutrition Facts

1 slice: 444 calories, 19g fat (9g saturated fat), 89mg cholesterol, 320mg sodium, 66g carbohydrate (52g sugars, 2g fiber), 6g protein.

Topped with walnuts and caramelized tart apple slices, this apple upside-down cake is both easy and dazzling. It never fails to make tasters say, “wow!”—Linda Wetsch, Mandan, North Dakota
Recipe Creator

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