Apple upside down cake

Moist,studded with tender,caramelized apples,this cake could be the perfect fall dessert,especially if you're an apple dessert person,just like me!

Even if you're not,who on earth could resist biting those sticky caramelized apples?!🙄

Summer packed and is on its way to Southern Hemisphere but i'm still here embracing autumn,ready to dive into fall baking season!

My very first fall recipe is one of the best apple recipes to make during the apple picking season,apart from apple pie which is a staple in everyone's kitchen at this time of the year.

You've probably had an apple upside down cake before but not like this one, for sure!The taste ticks all the boxes-not too sweet,moist,tender,loaded with soft,caramelized apples,each bite is a delight!

What makes this cake different from others? 

Apples. They're first baked in caramel syrup until tender then are topped with the batter and baked for further 30 minutes until the syrup turns out into a delicious glaze and apples are nicely caramelized!This cake tastes exactly like a tarte tatin.Yummy,right!

The crumb is deliciously moist and fluffy,the perfect complement for those beautiful caramelized apples.Every mouthful is filled with fruit,cake and happiness!ENJOY!

Prep Time: 30-35 Minutes

Cooking Time:60-65 Minutes

Yield:6-8 Portions

Ingredients:

• 200g all purpose flour
• 3 M/L eggs
• 70ml whole milk
• 50g vegetable oil
• 80g caster sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 5g(1tsp) baking powder
• pinch of salt
• 8 small apples,such as Granny Smith,Pink Lady or Gala

Syrup:

• 110g caster sugar
• 50g salted butter

DIRECTIONS

Caramel:

• Preheat oven to 180ºC/350ºF(convection/fan forced mode)
• Place sugar in a medium skillet or saucepan over low heat without stirring.Melt sugar until is partially liquefied then whisk until all of the sugar has melted and turned dark amber in color.
• Remove from the heat immediately and pour caramelized sugar into a 23cm round pan(not springform one).Carefully swirl the pan to coat the bottom evenly.Set aside for later use.

• Peel,core and cut the apples in half lengthwise.Place them in a bowl with cold water to prevent browning.

• Place apples halves,cut side down,over the sugar so they overlap slightly.Don't worry if you can't fit in all apples initially,they will shrink as they bake.
• Divide 50g of salted butter between apples-add a small knob of butter on top of each apple then bake at 180ºC/350ºF(convection/fan forced mode) for 30 minutes.
• With 15 min. before baking time is up,prepare the cake batter.

Cake:

• Separate the egg whites from egg yolks. • Add egg whites and salt to a large clean bowl and with your mixer at high speed start to whisk adding sugar gradually.Whisk for about 4-5 minutes until stiff peaks form. • Add egg yolks,one at time beating well after each addition.
• Reduce speed mixer to low and pour the oil in a thin stream.

• Add the milk with your speed mixer still on low.Whisk just until combined.

• Stir in vanilla extract.

•Sift the flour and baking powder on top of the egg mixture,a little at a time.Fold it gently,from bottom to top,using a silicone spatula or a hand whisk.

• Once apples have baked,remove the pan from the oven. You'll see a lot of syrup on the pan because while baking,the apples release their juice.That syrup will turn out into a delicious glaze,don't drain it!

• Using a spoon carefully push apples into a single layer.
• Spoon batter over apples and spread evenly using a spatula,so that it covers the syrup as well. Lower your oven temperature to 175ºC/345ºF and bake for 30-35 minutes until deeply golden brown on top.
• Let cool in the pan for 20 minutes then run a knife around the edges to loosen the cake.Gently shake the pan until you feel the cake it bounces lightly inside then invert it onto a plate.
• Let it cool completely before slicing.Serve plain or with a dollop of crème fraîche and a dusting of cinnamon.
• Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.

That's all, folks!

Enjoy!

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If you make this recipe,please let me know how it turned out!
Post your version on  instagram,tag @lady.j.bakes or leave me a comment below!