Moist, dense and mildly sweet, this Apple cake is a treat for all ages groups. This Upside-Down Apple cake is absolutely delicious and very easy to make. It is a great healthy breakfast, a perfect lunch box dish for kids or a simple dessert for your weekend lunch or even as a tea-time snack!
After a long weekend vacation (in Paris!!! :D), we both needed a boost to go back to our normal lives. This recipe has been our total favorite from the day I made it for the first time. We had a stock of apples in the fridge and this is the first dish I made as soon as we reached home. It tasted divine after that long journey. Apples being very tasty, are also an excellent source of nutrients. Some of the benefits being:
- Contains an amazing number of Polyphenols
- Contains high amount of antioxidants
- Improves cardiovascular health
- Improves Blood sugar regulation
- Prevents cancer
- Prevents Asthma
- Regular consumption makes teeth whiter and healthier
- Prevents Alzheimer's disease
- Protects against Parkinson's disease
- Reduces cholesterol and keeps the heart healthy
- Regular consumption aids in weight loss
There are many more health benefits that can be gained by eating apples regularly. So, the quote "An apple a day, keeps the doctor away" is not a mere statement.
There are many variations for this dish like caramelizing the apples before arranging them on the cake pan or making a plain apple cake and then topping it with caramelized apple slices and many more. Naveen loves this cake with caramel on top and I prefer it without any more added sweet. This recipe, I have kept it pretty simple. Since I have added chopped apples to the batter, I have not placed too many slices for the cake top. I have used wheat flour instead of plain flour/maida. Also, I have replaced half of butter with olive oil and added very little sugar. so the dish is quite guilt free though depends on the quantity of butter and sugar added. The below calorie information is for the apple cake with caramel sauce. Please feel free to modify the recipe as per your taste.
| Nutritional Information (Approx) (per serving) | |||
| Energy | 178 | Calories | |
| Fat | 14 | % | |
| Carbohydrates | 7 | % | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4 | % | |
| Sodium | 3 | % | |
| Vitamin A | 6 | % | |
| Vitamin C | 0 | % | |
| Calcium | 3 | % | |
| Iron | 5 | % | |
| Protein | 3.8 | Grams | |
| Sugar | 2.3 | Grams | |
| Ingredients | |
| Apple chopped | 1 |
| Apple sliced thinly | 1 |
| Wheat flour | 1/2 cup |
| Baking powder | 1 teaspoon |
| Fruit salt/Baking soda | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Salt | a pinch |
| Butter | 1 tablespoon |
| Olive oil | 1 tablespoon |
| Milk | 1/4 cup |
| Sugar | 1/4 cup |
| Vanilla essence | 3 drops |
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Mix wheat flour, Baking powder, Fruit salt/baking soda and a pinch of salt.
- In a mixer or blender, blend melted butter, milk, Olive oil, vanilla essence and sugar on high speed for just a minute.
- Add the dry ingredients to this mixture and mix well. Add the chopped apples and give it a slight mix.
- Grease the cake pan and arrange the sliced apples on the pan. You can arrange 2 layers of apple slices for a better look of the cake.
- Pour the cake batter on the arranged apples and make sure you do not try to even the layer. I tried to even it and the apple slices that were arranged into disarray.
- Bake for approximately 45 minutes or until inserting a toothpick or fork comes out dry. Keep an eye on the cake after 30 minutes just to make sure the cake is not over cooked.
- Let the cake cool for 10 minutes. Run a knife along the sides of the pan and flip the cake on a plate.
- Let it completely cool down before serving. This cake is mildly sweet, very moist and chunky and I love it this way.
If you are more on the sweeter side, you can top the cake with some caramel sauce that can be made in minutes.
| Ingredients for an easy caramel: | |
| Sugar | 1/2 cup |
| Water | 3 tablespoons |
- Heat sugar with water on a low flame until it starts turning dark. Do not stir it more than once.
- When you have achieved the color of your choice, remove it from heat and pour it over the apple cake. Serve it quickly and enjoy!
* You can make spiced caramel by adding a start anise and a cinnamon stick while making caramel.
* You can also sprinkle some cinnamon powder on top of the cake for an extra flavor.
* You can replace Milk with 1 egg, this makes the cake more spongy.
