Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks? Or in this case, give a classic apple dessert a delicious makeover! Our Upside-Down Maple Apple Cake takes everything you love about traditional apple cake and quite literally turns it on its head. The result? A gooey, caramelly-infused masterpiece that’s as fun to make as it is to eat.

At the heart of this recipe are, of course, the apples. We recommend using a mix of tart Granny Smiths and sweet Honeycrisps for the perfect balance of flavors. The apples are sliced thinly and arranged in a beautiful spiral at the bottom of the pan – remember, this will be the top of your cake when it’s done! This method ensures that every slice is picture-perfect and Instagram-worthy.

But the real star of the show is the maple caramel. We’re not talking about store-bought caramel sauce here, folks. We’re making our own by melting butter and maple syrup right in the pan before adding the apples. As the cake bakes, this maple-based caramel bubbles up around the apples, infusing them with rich, buttery sweetness and creating a gorgeous amber glaze.

The cake batter is where we bring in some wholesome goodness. We’re using a combination of whole wheat and all-purpose flour for added nutrition, and sweetening it with maple syrup instead of refined sugar. A touch of Greek yogurt keeps the cake moist and adds a subtle tangy note that complements the sweet apples beautifully.

When it comes to serving, here’s where the fun really begins. Once your cake is baked to golden perfection, let it cool for just a few minutes. Then, with a confident flourish, invert it onto a serving plate. The big reveal never fails to elicit oohs and aahs as the caramel drips enticingly down the sides of the perfectly arranged apple slices.

This Upside-Down Maple Apple Cake isn’t just a dessert; it’s an experience. It takes the comforting familiarity of apple cake and adds a touch of drama and indulgence. I know we went a healthier route with the maple syrup and all, but you can always serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream!

Upside-Down Maple Apple Cake

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Our Upside-Down Maple Apple Cake takes everything you love about traditional apple pie and quite literally turns it on its head. The result? A gooey, maple caramel-infused masterpiece that’s as fun to make as it is to eat.

• Author: Amanda MacArthur
• Prep Time: 30 min
• Cook Time: 45 min
• Total Time: 1hr 15 min
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Bakery

Ingredients

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For the topping:

• 4 medium apples (2 Granny Smith, 2 Honeycrisp), peeled and thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

For the cake:

• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup Greek yogurt

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a 9-inch cast-iron skillet or cake pan, melt 1/4 cup butter over medium heat. Add 1/3 cup maple syrup and cinnamon, stirring until combined.
3. Remove from heat and arrange apple slices in a circular pattern over the butter and maple mixture.
4. In a medium bowl, whisk together whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
5. In a large bowl, beat 1/2 cup softened butter and 1/2 cup maple syrup until creamy. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla, beating well after each addition.
6. Alternately add the flour mixture and Greek yogurt to the butter mixture, starting and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined.
7. Carefully spread the batter over the arranged apples.
8. Bake for 40-45 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
9. Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then invert onto a serving plate.
10. Serve warm, optionally with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

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If you try this Upside-Down Maple Apple Cake, let me know what you think!