This cozy caramel upside-down cake is soft, fluffy, and filled with warm cinnamon flavor, all topped with a buttery layer of caramelized goodness. Made with applesauce, milk, and a blend of all-purpose and almond flour, it’s a simple, lightly sweet cake that feels indulgent without being overly heavy.
This caramel upside-down cake is soft, moist, and warmly spiced with cinnamon. We finish the cake with a rich caramelized topping that melts into every bite. It is made with wholesome ingredients that include all-purpose and almond flour plus applesauce and milk. This cake is tender and fluffy without adding sugar in the cake itself.
The caramelized topping is the star, creating a buttery, golden layer with deep caramel flavor. Then, the applesauce adds natural moisture and subtle sweetness, while almond flour brings a light nuttiness and cinnamon gives the cake that cozy, bakery-style flavor.
What Makes It Unique
- 🍎 Applesauce for moisture: Keeps the cake soft and tender without relying on lots of added sugar.
- 🍯 Caramelized topping: The only added sugar is used in the caramelized layer.
- 🌰 All-purpose + almond flour: Creates a fluffy yet tender crumb with a subtle nutty flavor.
- 🤎 Warm cinnamon flavor: Adds cozy spice and complements the caramel beautifully.
- 🥛 Milk for a tender crumb: Helps create a soft, moist cake texture.
- ✨ Naturally impressive: The caramelized topping creates a beautiful finish when the cake is flipped.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour
- Almond flour
- Applesauce
- Milk
- Eggs
- Butter
- Cinnamon
- Vanilla extract
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Coconut Sugar — used only for the caramelized topping
- Butter or Coconut Oil for the caramelized topping
Why It’s Healthier
- No added sugar in the cake batter — the only added sugar is in the caramelized apple topping.
- Applesauce adds natural sweetness and moisture.
- Almond flour adds healthy fats and a slightly nutty flavor.
- Apples provide natural sweetness, fiber, and texture.
- The cake uses a moderate amount of coconut oil butter while still keeping the crumb moist and flavorful.
Tip: For an even lighter caramel topping, reduce the brown sugar to 1 tablespoon and let the natural sweetness of the apples shine through.
Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake
Equipment
- 8 in. round cake pan
Ingredients
Cake
- 1 Cup All Purpose Flour
- 1/2 Cup Almond Flour
- 1/2 Cup Apple Sauce
- 1/2 Cup Milk
- 2 Eggs
- 2 Tbsp Melted Butter
- 1 Tsp Vanilla
- 1 Tsp Cinnamon
- 1 1/2 Tsp Baking Powder
- 1/4 Tsp Salt
Caramel Topping
- 2 Medium Apples thinly sliced
- 2 Tbsp Coconut Sugar
- 2 Tbsp Melted Coconut Oil or Butter
- 1 tsp Cinnamon
Instructions
- Prepare the apples. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Thinly slice the apples, leaving the skin on or peeling them depending on your preference.
- Make the caramelized topping. Add the butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt to a skillet over medium heat. Stir until the butter melts and the sugar begins to dissolve. Add the sliced apples and cook for about 3–5 minutes, until they begin to soften and become glossy.
- Arrange the apples. Grease an 8-inch round cake pan and carefully arrange the caramelized apples in an even layer across the bottom. Pour any remaining caramel mixture from the skillet over the apples.
- Mix the dry ingredients. In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, almond flour, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt.
- Mix the wet ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk together the applesauce, milk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla until smooth.
- Combine. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Stir just until everything is combined. Avoid overmixing—the batter should be thick but pourable.
- Add the batter. Pour the batter evenly over the caramelized apples. Gently spread the top with a spatula so the batter reaches the edges of the pan.
- Bake. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool slightly. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10–15 minutes. Don't let it cool completely, or the caramelized apples may stick to the pan.
- Flip the cake. Place a serving plate over the cake pan. Carefully flip the pan upside down in one quick motion. Gently lift the pan away to reveal the caramelized apples on top.
- Serve. Serve warm on its own or with a spoonful of Greek yogurt or vanilla ice cream.
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