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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.
Course Dessert
Cuisine modern american/fall baking
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 42 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 7 minutes
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