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This Apple Upside Down Cake starts with a box of spice cake mix and is topped with buttery fresh apple slices. It’s a perfect dessert or sweet breakfast treat!
Apple Upside Down Cake screams fall flavor with the addition of a spice cake mix. Using that one ingredient makes this Bundt cake so simple and perfect for apple season.
There is no need to add extra warm spices to this apple cake because they are all in the cake mix itself. A few extra apple additions to the batter, along with the fresh apples really makes this an easy apple upside-down cake recipe.
And because we’re starting with a boxed cake mix, that means no worrying about measuring out dry ingredients! We’re just adding some special wet ingredients like apple cider and applesauce to keep the caramel apple upside-down cake super moist.
What goes into this recipe
- Butter: Used to make an almost caramel sauce when combined with the fresh apples and brown sugar.
- Brown Sugar: Combined with the butter, it creates a caramelized apple topping. Use a dark brown sugar for an even deeper flavor.
- Cinnamon: The perfect spice with apples, it gives the mixture a great flavor.
- Apples: I prefer using Granny Smith apples because they are tart and can handle the added sweetness. They are also amazing in these Dutch Apple Bars.
- Spice Cake Mix: A great cake mix to use during Fall, it is full of all of the flavors you expect. It is one of the main ingredients in these Mini Carrot Cakes too.
- Apple Cider: Used in place of water, it gives a great extra added apple flavor.
- Apple Sauce: A great substitute for oil, it also adds to the apple flavor.
How to Make Apple Upside Down Cake
- Combine the spice cake mix, eggs, apple cider and apple sauce in a medium bowl. Mix using an electric mixer {or by hand} until everything is nicely incorporated.
- Once the batter is ready, melt the butter in a separate bowl or a small saucepan. Combine butter with the brown sugar and cinnamon and whisk until smooth.
- Add the melted butter and brown sugar mixture to the bottom of your bundt pan that has been liberally sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Add your sliced apples to the top of the sauce.
- Pour batter on top of the apples. Bake the bundt cake in a 350 degree oven for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with only a few crumbs {but no batter}. The cake will be a little denser than a lot of cakes but that is exactly what you are looking for. It almost has a pound cake texture.
- Let the cake cool on a wire rack and in the pan for 10 minutes before turning the cake upside down {or inverting} it onto a cake serving plate.
- If any of the apples or the butter/brown sugar mixture stick to the bottom of the cake pan, then just remove them from the pan and place on top of the cake.
Expert Tips
- Slice the apples thinly. This helps to ensure that they will cook through well. It is also how you prep the apples in this easy Apple Crisp.
- Spray the bundt pan right before adding the brown sugar mixture. If you do this step too soon the spray will pool in the bottom of the pan.
- Don’t over bake the cake. Remove from the oven once a toothpick comes out with a few crumbs but no raw cake batter.
- Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. This is enough time to let the cake and the caramel mixture to naturally pull away from the pan. Here are all of my bundt cake tips!
- If any areas of the cake stick, no problem. Just pull them out and gently place them where they go.
- Serving this delicious upside down cake warm is my favorite way to eat it. Don’t forget a big scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
Storage and Freezing
Store: The best way to store this apple dessert is to cover it and refrigerate. This cake plate is great because it has a cover, but you can use plastic wrap as well or put it in an airtight container. Note: The cake will get too soggy if it is at room temperature for long.
Freeze: To freeze this classic dessert, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and then store it in a freezer bag or a freezer safe container. Let thaw overnight before serving.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, peaches would be wonderful and of course, pineapple is always an option as well. Who doesn’t love a good pineapple upside down cake.
I also have amazing recipes for a Banana Upside Down Bundt Cake and a Pecan Upside Down Bundt Cake.
If you don’t have a spice cake mix then there is an easy substitution. A yellow cake mix with the addition of 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon of ginger and 1/4 teaspoon of either allspice or cloves works great.
I love using golden delicious apples, but Granny Smith apples have a unique tartness that is also perfect for this recipe!
Do you love Bundt Cakes? Try these recipes…
Did you try this recipe?
Leave a ⭐️ review below and tag @practicallyhomemade on Pinterest!
Super Easy Apple Upside Down Cake
Ingredients
Apple Topping
- 1-2 medium apples , {peeled and thinly sliced}
- 6 tablespoons butter
- ½ cup brown sugar , {packed}
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
Cake
- 1 box spice cake mix, {13.25 ounces}
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup apple cider
- ½ cup apple sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Apple Topping
- Combine melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon into a medium bowl and whisk until the brown sugar is slightly dissolved. Spray the bundt pan liberally with nonstick cooking spray and pour mixture into the bottom of the pan.
- Add sliced apples to the top of the butter and sugar mixture in the bottom of the pan.
Cake Batter
- Combine cake mix, eggs, apple cider and apple sauce in a large bowl and mix according to package directions. Pour batter into the prepared pan and on top of the apple topping. Be sure to spread into an even layer.
- Bake in a 350° oven for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Remove from the oven and place onto a cooling rack for 10 minutes. Then invert your Apple Upside Down Bundt Cake onto a cake plate and cool completely. If apples stick to the bottom of the pan just use your fingers to remove them and place them onto the cake.
- Store your Apple Upside Down Bundt Cake in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Notes
- If you don’t have a spice cake mix then there is an easy substitution. A yellow cake mix with the addition of 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon of ginger and 1/4 teaspoon of either allspice or cloves works great.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
