Easy Fall Desserts: Apple Upside Down Cake with a Cake Mix
Baking with apples during the Fall is one of my favorite pasttimes. As soon as the weather starts turning cooler I am ready to break out the apples and create a dessert. Bundt cakes are so much fun because they look amazing but are super simple. Adding apples to the batter and the topping ended up being heaven. You are going to love this Apple Upside Down Bundt Cake.
Do you love baking with apples? Try this Apple Crumb Cake!
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An Easy Fall Bundt Cake
This 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.
There is no need to add extra spices because they are all in the cake mix itself. A few apple additions to the batter, along with the fresh apples really makes this an Easy Fall Bundt Cake.
Ingredients needed for this Apple Upside Down Cake
- Butter-used in the caramel-like topping, it gives the topping a rich flavor.
- Brown Sugar-combined with the butter, it creates a thick caramel that is perfect with apples.
- 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.
- Spice Cake Mix-a great cake mix to use during Fall, it is full of all of the flavors you expect.
- Eggs–
- 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
There are only a few steps to get you from start to finish with this awesome cake. Let me walk you through them.
- Combine the spice cake mix, eggs, apple cider and apple sauce in a medium bowl. Mix using a hand held mixer {or by hand} until everything is nicely incorporated.
- Once the batter is ready, melt the butter in a separate bowl. Add the brown sugar and cinnamon to the butter and whisk until smooth.
- Add the 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 that.
- Pour your prepared 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.
Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 15 minutes before inverting it onto a cake plate.
If any of the apples or the butter/brown sugar mixture stick, then just remove them from the pan and place on the cake.
How to Store this Upside Down Cake
The best way to store this Apple Upside Down Cake is to cover it and refrigerate. This cake plate is great because it has a cover.
The cake will get too soggy if it is at room temperature for long.
Can I Substitute Another Fruit?
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.
What can I use if I don’t have a Spice Cake Mix?
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.
Last year it was hard to find spice cake mixes and so if you are finding it difficult this is an easy way to get the same great flavor without one.
Serving Suggestions
My favorite way to serve this Apple Upside Down Cake with a Cake Mix is warm from the oven but it can also be heated in the microwave for a few seconds.
A scoop of ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream is always a welcome addition. Although it is totally delicious all on its own.
Do you love Bundt Cakes? Try these recipes…
- Kentucky Butter Bundt Cake
- Tiramisu Bundt Cake
- Churro Bundt Cake
- Baklava Bundt Cake
- Texas Sheet Cake Bundt Cake
- Better Than Anything Bundt Cake
Apple Upside Down Cake with a Cake Mix
Ingredients
Apple Topping
- 1-2 medium apples {peeled and thinly sliced}
- 6 tablespoons butter
- ½ cup brown sugar {packed}
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
Cake
- 1-15.25 oz. box spice cake mix
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup apple cider
- ½ cup apple sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare your bundt pan by liberally spraying it with nonstick spray and set aside.
Apple Topping
- Combine melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon into a medium bowl and whisk until the brown sugar is slightly dissolved. Pour it into the prepared Bundt 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 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 tooth pick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Remove from oven and place onto a cooling rack for 15 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.
