Apple Gingerbread Upside Down Cake Recipe
Rich and buttery old fashioned gingerbread cake baked on top of thinly sliced apples with brown sugar and walnuts. This cake recipe is warm, cozy, and perfect for the holiday season!
How to Make the Best Apple Gingerbread Upside Down Cake
This Apple Gingerbread Upside Down Cake brings together the warmth of classic gingerbread with the sweetness of caramelized apples for an unforgettable holiday dessert. Rich molasses and a blend of warming spices create a tender, moist cake that pairs beautifully with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
What Makes This Cake Special
The magic happens when you flip this cake onto a plate and reveal the beautiful caramelized apples studded with walnuts. The inverted apple layer creates a stunning presentation while the gingerbread batter absorbs all those buttery, brown sugar flavors. It’s the perfect combination of sophistication and comfort food.
A Holiday Classic with Modern Appeal
Whether you’re preparing for Christmas dinner or simply want to capture that cozy holiday feeling, this upside-down cake delivers warmth and nostalgia in every bite. The bold spices and tender crumb make it a standout dessert that will have your guests asking for seconds.
Apple Gingerbread Upside Down Cake
Rich and buttery old fashioned gingerbread cake baked on top of thinly sliced apples with brown sugar and walnuts. This cake recipe is warm, cozy, and perfect for the holiday season!
Ingredients
Apple Layer
Gingerbread Cake
Instructions
Apple Layer
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Pour melted butter into a 9-inch round cake pan.
- Sprinkle brown sugar and walnuts evenly over the butter.
- Arrange apple slices in a decorative pattern over the sugar mixture.
Gingerbread Cake
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream together room temperature butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Stir in molasses until combined.
- Alternately add the flour mixture and boiling water to the butter mixture, starting and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined.
- Carefully pour the batter over the apples in the prepared pan.
- Bake for 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then invert onto a serving plate.
- Serve warm with whipped cream or ice cream if desired.
Notes
- Make sure the butter is room temperature before creaming with sugar for best results.
- Don't skip the molasses—it's essential for authentic gingerbread flavor.
- The cake can be made a day ahead and stored covered at room temperature.