What is Upside Down Cake?
An upside-down cake is a dessert where fruit and sugar are placed at the bottom of the pan before the batter is poured over them. After baking, the cake is flipped so the fruit becomes the topping, showcasing its caramelised juices and flavours. It's a sweet, moist treat typically made with pineapple, apples, pears, plums, rhubarb or cherries.
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🎂 Ingredients
*See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
- Eggs: Use large eggs for best results, as they provide structure and moisture to the cake batter.
- Sugar: Use granulated sugar to caramelise apples and mix it into cake batter, and powdered sugar to stabilise and sweeten the whipped cream.
- Cake Flour: Use cake flour for a softer texture compared to all-purpose flour, ensuring a tender crumb in the cake.
- Apples: Choose from McIntosh, Cortland, Golden Delicious, Fuji, and Gravenstein for their tenderness, which makes them perfect for use in pies, cakes, crisps, and other baked desserts.
- Double Cream: Whipped to stiff peaks to create a fluffy and creamy texture in the whipped cream.
- Crème Fraîche: Adds richness and a slightly tangy hint to the whipped cream.
- Nutella: Blend it into the whipped cream for a hazelnut chocolate taste.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds flavour to the syrup.
♻️ Substitutions
- Eggs: Substitute each egg with ¼ cup of unsweetened applesauce or mashed banana for a vegan option.
- Sugar: Replace granulated sugar with brown or coconut sugar for a richer flavour. Use a sugar substitute like erythritol or stevia for a lower-calorie option.
- Cake Flour: You can substitute cake flour with a mixture of all-purpose flour and cornstarch. For every cup of cake flour, use 1 cup of all-purpose flour minus 2 tablespoons, and add 2 tablespoons of cornstarch.
- Double Cream: Heavy cream or whipping cream can be used as a substitute for double cream.
- Powdered Sugar: Make powdered sugar at home by blending granulated sugar until fine.
- Nutella: Substitute Nutella with any hazelnut-chocolate spread or make your own by blending hazelnuts with cocoa powder and sweetener.
- Vanilla Extract: Use almond extract or a different extract, such as hazelnut or rum, for a variation in the syrup flavour.
❓ NUTELLA Swirl Upside-Down Apple Cake FAQs
To ensure the upside-down apple layer doesn't stick, always grease the pan well with butter or cooking spray before melting the sugar for the caramel. Let the cake cool in the pan for about 30 minutes after baking, then run a sharp knife around the edges before inverting it onto a serving plate.
Yes, you can easily make this cake gluten-free. Simply substitute the cake flour with your favourite gluten-free flour blend. Also, ensure the Nutella (or hazelnut spread) and any extracts or baking powder you use are certified gluten-free.
Due to the fresh whipped cream topping, the cake is best enjoyed within 3 to 4 days when stored covered in the refrigerator. For the best texture, always keep the frosted cake chilled.
Yes, you can. You can bake the cake (up to the point of adding the whipped cream) one or two days ahead of time. Store the cooled cake covered at room temperature. Prepare the Nutella whipped cream separately, refrigerate it, and only frost the cake and add the festive chocolate snowflakes a few hours before serving.
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📖 Recipe
Nutella Swirl Upside-Down Apple Cake with Festive Snowflakes
Equipment
- 9-inch (22cm) Round Cake Pan
- Hand mixer or stand mixer
Ingredients
For the Cake Batter
- 4 large eggs
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup cake flour sifted
- 4 tablespoon warm water
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
For the Caramelized Apples
- 6-7 firm apples (such as Fuji or Honeycrisp)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
For the Nutella Whipped Cream
- 6.76 oz double cream
- 6.76 oz whole fat crème fraîche
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- ½ cup Nutella
For the Orange-Vanilla Syrup
- 5.27 oz water
- 2 tablespoon granulated sugar
- ½ tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 tbps orange zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Chocolate Snowflakes
- 3.5 oz dark chocolate
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (356°F).
- Melt 100g of sugar over medium heat until golden in a 22cm (9-inch) pan. Set aside and let it cool.¼ cup powdered sugar
- Meanwhile, peel your apples and arrange them in the pan. Optionally, fill the apples with jam, chopped walnuts, or sultanas. Bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes until soft. While the apples are baking, prepare the cake batter.6-7 firm apples
- Using a hand mixer, beat the egg whites with sugar and salt until soft peaks form. Gradually add water and then the egg yolks one by one until well incorporated.4 large eggs, ¼ cup granulated sugar, 4 tablespoon warm water, ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
- Sift the flour and baking powder over the wet mixture. Using a spatula or whisk, fold the flour into the mixture to keep it fluffy.¾ cup cake flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder
- Pour the cake batter over the apples and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Make The Chocolate Snowflakes (Optional): Place the chocolate pieces into a piping bag, seal it, and microwave in 10-second intervals until the chocolate is melted. Cut a tiny piece off the end of the bag and pipe snowflake shapes onto a sheet of parchment paper. Refrigerate or freeze the snowflakes now to allow them to fully harden.3.5 oz dark chocolate
- While the cake bakes, prepare the syrup. Simmer all ingredients over medium heat for 5 minutes. Allow to cool to room temperature.5.27 oz water, 2 tablespoon granulated sugar, ½ tablespoon lemon zest, 1 tbps orange zest, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- After baking, let the cake cool in the pan for 30 minutes. Run a knife around the edge of the cake to loosen it from the pan, then invert onto a cake plate. Carefully remove the pan and let the cake cool completely.
- Next, prepare the whipped cream. Combine the crème fraîche, double cream, and powdered sugar. Mix on medium speed for 5 minutes or until stiff peaks form. Add Nutella and mix again.½ cup granulated sugar, 6.76 oz double cream, 6.76 oz whole fat crème fraîche, ½ cup Nutella
- Drizzle the cooled syrup evenly over the cake until moistened. Cover the cake generously with the Nutella whipped cream. Carefully place the pre-made chocolate snowflakes on top to decorate just before serving.
Notes
- Caramelize sugar over medium heat, stirring constantly to avoid burning.
- Peel and arrange apples evenly in the pan for consistent baking.
- Gently fold flour into the wet mixture to keep the cake light and fluffy.
- Check for doneness by inserting a skewer into the center at 25 minutes; it should come out clean.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 30 minutes to prevent sticking.
- Whip cream to stiff peaks before adding Nutella for a light, fluffy texture.
- Drizzle syrup evenly over the cake to ensure moisture and flavor absorption.
Claudia-Cristina Ciorteanu says
My family loved this!
Claudia Ciorteanu says
My family loved this!
Bev says
This cake was amazing! I never thought apples and nutella would go well together, but they are great together! Will definitely be making again!
Elizabeth says
This cake is incredible! All of the flavors mixed together are perfection. My family loved this!
Nicole says
Thank you for sharing this recipe
Paula says
This was such an incredible apple cake. It had deep ad rich flavors and I loved the whipped cream and nutella additions. A great cake for any occasion.
Nicole Kendrick says
This is one of the best cakes I've ever made. I love that deep apple flavor, and the whipped cream frosting makes it so perfect!
swathi says
Nutella Whipped Cream Apple cake has everything. My family approved it. I am going to make it more.
Juyali says
This cake is a flavor bomb! Oh goodness. Apples, Nutella, cream, and citrus. All in one cake.
One of the most indulgent cakes ever. I could eat it every day. Thanks for the great recipe!
Nicole says
This apple cake was amazing! I loved the addition of nutella whipped cream.
Adriana says
You never go wrong with Nutella. The combination with the apple is delicious.
Greta says
oh wow! this looks amazing. I saved it for Christmas time! 🙂
Rob says
I would never have thought to combine an apple cake with Nutella, but the combination made for a very delicious cake!