Name: Vegan Apple Upside Down Cake Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 cup vegan butter; 1/2 cup packed brown sugar; 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; 2 medium apples, peeled and sliced into 1/4 inch slices; 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 1/2 cup packed brown sugar; 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder; 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup melted vegan butter or oil; 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce; 1/4 cup unsweetened soy milk; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Jump to Recipe· 4.7 from 20 reviews

If you’re looking for a dessert that combines cozy fall flavors with a fun twist, trust me, this Vegan Apple Upside Down Cake Recipe will quickly become your go-to. It’s sweet, tender, and topped with beautifully caramelized apples that practically melt in your mouth. I love how simple it is to throw together, yet it looks and tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. Stick around, because I’m about to share all my secrets for making it absolutely perfect every time.

❤️

Why This Recipe Works

Perfectly Balanced Sweetness: The brown sugar caramel topping pairs beautifully with the warm spices in the cake for a cozy, comforting dessert.
Moist and Tender Texture: Thanks to applesauce and vegan butter, the cake stays moist without feeling heavy or oily.
Simple Ingredients, Impressive Result: You don’t need fancy stuff—just pantry basics and fresh apples to wow your guests.
Easy to Make Upside Down: The inversion technique is straightforward, ensuring those gorgeous apple slices stay intact and glossy on top.

Vegan Apple Upside Down Cake, vegan apple dessert, healthy apple cake, easy vegan apple cake, fall vegan desserts - A round upside-down apple cake with thinly sliced apple pieces arranged in a circular pattern on top, glazed with a shiny brown caramel sauce that covers the entire surface and edges; the cake itself is dense and dark brown, sitting on a white plate with small speckled patterns, all placed on a white marbled texture background with a red apple partially visible in the bottom right corner, and some autumn-colored leaves in the top left corner photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

What’s great about this Vegan Apple Upside Down Cake Recipe is how the ingredients complement each other for flavor and texture while keeping everything plant-based and approachable. Let’s break down why each is important.

Vegan Apple Upside Down Cake, vegan apple dessert, healthy apple cake, easy vegan apple cake, fall vegan desserts - Flat lay of fresh red and golden apple slices with smooth, pale yellow vegan butter chunks, rich dark brown sugar crystals, warm cinnamon sticks and vibrant ground cinnamon powder, small wooden spoons holding pure vanilla extract, scattered light brown nutmeg seeds, and moist golden all-purpose flour dusts, arranged naturally with soft shadows and textured contrasts, placed on white marbled surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Vegan butter: Provides rich flavor and helps caramelize the sugar topping perfectly.
Brown sugar: Adds deep molasses notes that bring warmth to both topping and cake.
Ground cinnamon and nutmeg: Classic spices that add cozy autumn vibes without overpowering.
Vanilla extract: A small but essential detail for rounding out the flavors.
Apples: Choose firm apples like Fuji or Gala for slices that hold shape and caramelize beautifully.
All-purpose flour: Creates a lovely soft crumb; you can swap for gluten-free blend if needed.
Granulated sugar: Balances the molasses-rich brown sugar to keep the cake sweet but light.
Baking powder: Gives the cake lift and airiness.
Applesauce: Replaces eggs and fat to keep things moist and tender without heaviness.
Soy milk: Helps bind the batter and adds moisture with a neutral taste.

📝

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

I love sharing this recipe with friends, and what’s fun is how easily you can make it your own. Over time, I’ve adjusted the spices and swapped out apples for pears with great success, and you might find your own favorite tweaks too!

Use Different Fruit: Pear slices or even peaches can work wonderfully—just make sure the fruit slices aren’t too watery to keep that caramel topping lush.
Spice it Up or Down: If you want it spicier, add a dash of ground ginger or cloves. For a milder cake, reduce the cinnamon slightly.
Sweetener Swaps: You can replace granulated sugar with coconut sugar for a slightly nuttier flavor, adjusting sweetness to your preference.
Gluten-Free Option: Use your favorite gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. I tested this with great results using a blend with xanthan gum.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Vegan Apple Upside Down Cake Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven

I always start by preheating the oven to 350°F and giving my 9-inch cake pan a good buttering on the sides. Here’s a trick: don’t bother buttering the bottom because the caramel sauce will keep the apples from sticking perfectly. Set it aside while you prep the topping—it saves time, and everything stays slick and mess-free.

Step 2: Whip Up the Apple Topping

In a small saucepan, melt vegan butter over medium heat and whisk in the brown sugar until smooth and bubbling, about one minute. Watch closely so it doesn’t burn! Remove from heat and stir in cinnamon and vanilla. Then pour this glossy sauce into your prepared pan. Next, neatly arrange your apple slices on top — trust me, taking a little extra time here pays off when you flip the cake later and see those gorgeous rings of caramelized apple.

Step 3: Whisk Together Your Cake Batter

In a large bowl, whisk the dry ingredients—flour, sugars, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt—until evenly combined. Then pour in the melted vegan butter, applesauce, soy milk, and vanilla extract. Stir gently just until everything comes together; a few small lumps are totally okay. Overmixing is one sure way to a dense cake, so take it easy here.

Step 4: Bake and Flip for the Big Reveal

Pour your batter slowly over the apples in the pan, trying not to disturb that beautiful fruit arrangement. Pop it in the oven for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. I usually start checking at 35 minutes to avoid over-baking. Let the cake cool for about 5 minutes—this rest is crucial, trust me—then carefully invert it onto a serving plate. Voilà! Stunning caramelized apples await you on top.

💡

Pro Tips for Making Vegan Apple Upside Down Cake Recipe

Choose Firm Apples: Use apples that hold their texture when baked, like Fuji or Honeycrisp, to avoid a mushy topping.
Don’t Skip Resting Before Inverting: Let the cake cool 5 minutes so the caramel sets slightly, preventing sticky messes.
Use a Sharp Knife to Slice Apples Thinly: This helps the apples cook evenly and look elegant on top of the cake.
Avoid Overmixing Batter: Mixing just until combined keeps the texture light and fluffy, not dense and tough.

How to Serve Vegan Apple Upside Down Cake Recipe

Vegan Apple Upside Down Cake, vegan apple dessert, healthy apple cake, easy vegan apple cake, fall vegan desserts - A round cake with a single layer of light brown sponge at the bottom, topped with a thick, shiny caramel glaze that drips slightly over the edges. On top, thin apple slices with a pale yellow color are neatly arranged in a circular pattern, covered evenly by the sticky caramel glaze. The cake is on a white plate with small black specks, placed on a white marbled surface. In the background, a blurred apple can be seen. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I like to keep it simple and serve this cake with a scoop of dairy-free vanilla ice cream or a swirl of vegan whipped cream. Sometimes, I sprinkle a little fresh cinnamon on top for an extra warm note. If you want to get fancy, a drizzle of maple syrup or a few toasted pecans on top adds lovely contrasting textures and flavors.

Side Dishes

This cake pairs unbelievably well with a cup of hot chai tea or a rich, dark coffee—perfect for cozy afternoons. If you’re serving it as part of a larger dessert spread, try some lightly spiced roasted nuts or even a small bowl of fresh berries to cut through the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

For holidays or special dinners, I like to make mini versions of this cake in ramekins—the caramelized apple topping looks so cute individually portioned! Another fun idea is layering the cake into a trifle with vegan custard and apple compote for an impressive, no-fuss dessert centerpiece.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled completely, I store leftover cake in an airtight container in the fridge where it stays fresh for up to 3 days. Before serving, I let pieces come to room temperature or warm them slightly for that just-baked feeling.

Freezing

This cake freezes wonderfully. I usually slice it before freezing and wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap, then place slices in a freezer bag. That way, I can thaw just what I need in the fridge overnight and enjoy without sacrificing flavor or texture.

Reheating

To reheat, I pop a slice into a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes or microwave it for 20-30 seconds. This revives the softness and lets that caramelized topping get a little melty again—delicious every time.

FAQs

Can I use a different kind of apple for this cake?

Absolutely! While firmer apples like Fuji, Honeycrisp, or Gala work best to maintain shape and texture, you can experiment with others like Granny Smith for a tarter twist. Just slice them thinly so they cook evenly and don’t release too much moisture.
Is this Vegan Apple Upside Down Cake Recipe gluten-free?

The recipe as written uses all-purpose flour, so it’s not gluten-free by default. However, you can swap in a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend, just make sure it contains xanthan gum or another binder to mimic gluten’s structure.
Can I make this cake oil-free?

Yep! Since this recipe already includes applesauce, which acts as a fat substitute, you can use applesauce in place of vegan butter or oil in the batter. For the topping, vegan butter is key for caramelization, but you could try a small amount of coconut oil if needed.
How do I prevent the cake from sticking when flipping?

Be sure to butter the sides of your pan well and use a non-stick or lightly greased pan. Letting the cake cool for about 5 minutes before flipping gives the caramel time to set, helping the topping release cleanly.

Final Thoughts

This Vegan Apple Upside Down Cake Recipe has become a staple in my kitchen because it manages to be both impressive and effortless, offering that warm, homey feeling without any fuss. Whether you’re baking for your family, impressing guests, or just treating yourself to something special, I hope you find it as delicious and satisfying as I do. Give it a try—I’m rooting for you to enjoy every caramelized, spiced bite!