Monday, September 27, 2010

Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake



This week, Leslie of Lethally Delicious decided on Tarte Fine on page 315.



Confession: I had a puff pastry dilemma this week - To buy or to make? I really didn't want to buy it when I know I can make it for cheaper and better at home, but then I ran outta time because of my indecision and procrastination. So, I apologize, there is no Tarte Fine aux Pommes for moi this week.

Instead, I made this deliciously moist, super-cute apple cake that tastes just like a caramel apple. There's a nice, thick layer of sugar and butter that gets put into the pan first. This carmellizes in the oven creating a gooey, caramelly topping after it's baked. The apples soften up and absorb some of the caramel during baking. They are tender and flavorful gems on the top of the cake. Psst...see the middle of the cake? The centre apple has still got its stem. :)

Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake
9" cake | adapted from Land-o-Lakes

1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
3 tablespoons cold butter, cut into cubes
3 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, sliced

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
2/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/3 cup butter, softened
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup milk

1/4 cup caramel sundae topping

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Place 1/2 cup brown sugar in small bowl; cut in 3 tablespoons butter with pastry blender or fork until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press onto bottom of greased 9" round cake pan. Arrange apple slices on top. Set aside.

Combine flour, baking powder and salt in medium bowl. Set aside.

Combine 2/3 cup brown sugar and 1/3 cup butter in another medium bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy. Add egg and vanilla; continue beating until smooth. Add flour mixture alternately with milk until well mixed.

Spoon batter over apple layer; spread evenly. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes; invert onto serving plate. Serve warm or cool, drizzled with caramel topping.

22 comments:

Sara said...

Oooooh, this looks SO tasty! Yum - I love caramel apples and in a cake...even better! :)

Cakelaw said...

LOL - it is a super cute cake - love it.

Danielle said...

What a cute cake! And yeah i almost forgot i made an imitation of the lofthouse cookies, i might make the olive garden cake but i'm not sure. My recipe to do list is very long! :)

Mary said...

Yum--I love upside-down cake, and this one looks fantastic!

Unknown said...

OMG, how beautiful is this???! All I can say is let me at it :D
*kisses* HH

Leslie said...

This looks fantastic, Tia! I'm so impressed that you were going to *make* puff pastry! It's something I've been wanting to do (and intended to do for this week) but time got away from me, too. Caramel + apples + cake = yum!

Unknown said...

i WOULD USE THAT MIDDLE APPLE TO PICK UP THIS WHOLE CAKE AND STEAL IT!

scrambledhenfruit said...

This looks so gooey, sticky and delicious! Yum!

Cindy said...

Wow! This looks wonderful.

Ashley said...

Um, this looks incredible!!

cocoa and coconut said...

Tia! This looks so professional. I love apples in baked goods. Really an irresitable recipe

kitchen flavours said...

Wow, the caramel apple upside-down cake looks really moist and "caramely-yum"! I have an award for you, please do drop by to pick it up when you can. Have a lovely day.

Natasha @ Saved by the Egg Timer said...

Yummy! This looks very oogey gooey in the bestest way!

Unknown said...

wow--this is gorgeous!

steph- whisk/spoon said...

oh man...all those caramelized apples! that looks too good!

Anonymous said...

That sounds so delicious! You can't go wrong with apples and caramel!

TeaLady said...

Oh, Tia, that looks fantastic. I will have to try this one - soon!!!!

Judy said...

Your upside-down cake sounds like a delicious alternative to the tarte fine. I'm sure you will have a chance to make it sometime in the future.

Liz said...

Oooh, nom nom nom, apple and caramels and cake, oh yes! Looks absolutely delicious.

Flourchild said...

Gotta love caramel and apples! It looks wonderful!!

Lynne Daley said...

Great cake for a sub in! I bought the puff pastry, but would really like to attempt my own, but time always is an issue.

Anonymous said...

This is my second time making this cake. It looks beautiful and tastes delish too!. thanks Tia!