Description
This delightful Apple Upside Down Cake is a vegan and dairy-free dessert that combines tender spiced apple slices atop a moist cinnamon-infused cake. The rich caramel-like apple topping made from vegan butter and brown sugar pairs perfectly with the soft cake, creating a comforting and elegant dessert perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Apple Topping
- 1/2 cup vegan butter
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 medium apples, peeled and sliced into 1/4 inch slices
Cake
- 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup melted vegan butter or oil
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/4 cup unsweetened soy milk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven and grease pan: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly butter the sides of a 9-inch cake pan, but do not butter the bottom. Set the pan aside to prepare the topping and cake batter.
- Prepare the apple topping: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the vegan butter and brown sugar. Whisk occasionally until the butter has completely melted and the mixture is smooth, cooking for about 1 minute. Remove from heat and whisk in the ground cinnamon and pure vanilla extract. Pour this sauce into the bottom of the prepared cake pan, then neatly arrange the peeled, sliced apples on top of the sauce to create an even layer.
- Make the cake batter: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt until combined. Add the melted vegan butter (or oil), unsweetened applesauce, unsweetened soy milk, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Stir gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix the batter.
- Assemble and bake: Pour the cake batter evenly over the arranged apple slices in the pan, spreading carefully to cover the apples. Place the pan in the oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Cool and serve: Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool for about 5 minutes in the pan. Carefully invert the cake onto a serving dish so the apples are on top. Serve warm or at room temperature, optionally with dairy-free vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. Store any leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Notes
- For gluten-free option, use gluten-free all-purpose flour instead of regular flour.
- Other fruits like pear slices can be used as a substitute for the apples in the topping.
- Ensure all ingredients including vegan butter and soy milk are dairy-free to keep the recipe fully vegan.
- The cake can be served with dairy-free ice cream or whipped cream for added indulgence.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of cake)
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 170 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
