Spiced Apple & Ginger Upside-Down Cake with Maple Glaze
This stunning fall dessert is a cozy twist on a classic upside-down cake. Thinly sliced apples are layered in a skillet or cake pan with warm spices and maple butter glaze, then topped with a moist ginger-spice cake batter. Once inverted, the apples shimmer like caramel and the cake smells like fall. It’s rustic, beautiful, and richly spiced.
Servings 8 people
Ingredients
- Apple Layer:
- 2 medium firm apples Honeycrisp or Braeburn, thinly sliced
- 2 Tbsp butter or vegan butter
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- Pinch of nutmeg and clove optional
- 🍰 Ginger-Spice Cake Batter:
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp cardamom or nutmeg
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup neutral oil or melted butter
- 1/3 cup applesauce adds moisture
- 1/2 cup buttermilk or dairy-free milk + 1 tsp vinegar
- 2 Tbsp grated fresh ginger
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the Apple Base:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a skillet or round cake pan, melt butter with brown sugar and maple syrup. Stir in spices.
- Layer apple slices in a spiral pattern over the syrup mixture. Set aside.
- Make the Cake Batter:
- In one bowl, whisk dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, powder, salt, and spices.
- In another bowl, mix sugar, oil, applesauce, buttermilk, fresh ginger, and vanilla.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients and mix just until smooth.
- Assemble & Bake:
- Gently pour batter over apple layer and smooth the top.
- Bake for 40–45 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let cool 10 minutes, then invert onto a plate or cake stand.
- Optional Maple Glaze (Extra Fabulous!):
- Whisk together 2 tbsp maple syrup + 1/3 cup powdered sugar + splash of milk.
- Drizzle over cooled cake. Garnish with crystallized ginger or candied apple slices.
Notes
🌟 Flavor Profile:
Caramelized apples meet zingy fresh ginger
Moist spice cake with layers of warm fall flavors
A finish of maple, butter, and crunchy edges
Best served slightly warm — maybe with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream
