Is anyone else “all in” when the fall produce arrives? Because apples are happenin’ and I’m gonna do my best to make as many fall goodies as I can with these beauties!
This version of an Maple Apple Upside-Down cake is as easy as it is scrumptious. And, because it’s mostly eggs and very little flour, it’s calorie-conscious, to boot!
How to Make Maple Apple Upside-Down Cake
There are three parts to this cake (well, two if you don’t feel like making the optional streusel topping):
- Sautéed apples
- Cake batter
- Streusel topping (optional)
Sautéed Apples
Although you are layering these into your cake pan first, they become the top of the cake (because it’s upside down 😊), and as a result, it makes a beautiful centerpiece at any holiday gathering! The sautéing part is easy – just cook the apples tossed with cinnamon, lemon, and maple syrup in coconut oil until they soften.
Layering
THEN comes the fun part – the layering! I enjoy neatly layering my apples in a fan pattern so that they come out pretty when you turn the cake out. Normally, I am not a patient baker but I find this part strangely therapeutic!
Cake Batter
Next, (and this part is SO EASY!), just throw everything in a bowl, give it a good whisk, and – BOOM! – cake batter. Voilà! It doesn’t get much better than that, my friends.
Streusel Topping
Last, the streusel topping. If you’re short on time, you can totally skip this step. This topping is delicious – but a dollop of coconut whipped cream or a scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream (YUM!) wouldn’t be a terrible replacement (or addition!) if you prefer.
With that being said, this streusel topping tastes fabulous AND can go on lots of things – like yogurt, fruit, or the aforementioned ice cream. It is also excellent as a topping for my Pumpkin Muffins if you feel so inclined.
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Maple Apple Upside-Down Cake with Streusel Topping
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 10 slices 1x
- Category: Dessert
Description
Apples and cinnamon are the epitome of fall baking! Add in pure maple syrup and a homey streusel topping and the smells coming from your kitchen are going to make you the most popular house in town. The streusel topping is optional and can be omitted, if you prefer.
Ingredients
Sautéed Apple Ingredients
- 2 cups thinly sliced sweet-tart apples, like Honeycrisp (about 2 medium)
- Juice from ½ a lemon
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 TB 100% pure maple syrup + 1–2 TB extra for cake pan
- 1 TB coconut oil, melted
Cake Ingredients
- ½ cup coconut oil, melted
- ½ cup 100% pure maple syrup
- 4 eggs
- 1 TB vanilla extract
- ½ cup coconut flour
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Streusel Topping Ingredients (optional)
- ½ cup almond flour
- 1 ½ TB coconut oil (melted)
- 1 TB maple syrup
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
Sautéed Apple Directions:
- Toss apples with cinnamon, lemon juice, and maple syrup.
- Heat coconut oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat and add apple mixture.
- Sauté until apples start to soften, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool while you prepare the cake pan.
Cake Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line an 8 or 9-inch cake pan with parchment.
- Spoon 1-2 TB maple syrup around the bottom of the pan and spread it around (I use a pastry brush for this). Top with apples (make sure they’re cool enough to handle!), arranging them in a fan pattern. Note: this will end up being the top of your cake, so you’ll want it to look pretty.
- In a large bowl, whisk wet ingredients (oil, maple syrup, eggs, vanilla) until well mixed. Add in remaining cake ingredients and whisk until no lumps are visible.
- Pour into prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Set aside to cool completely.
- When ready to serve, put your serving plate of choice face-down onto the cake pan and flip the cake pan over, so that the bottom is now the top. Remove parchment and serve with optional streusel topping sprinkled on top (and/or coconut whipped cream or vegan vanilla ice cream!)
Streusel Topping Directions:
- While the cake is cooking, make the optional streusel topping by combining all ingredients in a medium bowl and stir until crumbly (you may need to use your fingers at the end).
- Line a baking pan with parchment and spread streusel out on the pan, baking at 350-degrees until it starts to crisp and brown (8-10 minutes). You may want to flip it half-way through for even brownness.