Upside down apple cake is a delicious sweet treat to bring to your next holiday gathering. It’s gluten-free and dairy-free, and filled with cinnamon apple flavor in every bite!
Gluten-free Upside Down Apple Cake
This recipe was inspired by my apple crumb cake I shared a couple of years ago. It’s made from a blend of almond flour and tapioca flour, and topped with a delicious layer of honey cinnamon glazed apples.
The cake comes out moist and perfectly sweet, and is the perfect dessert to serve at your next holiday gathering.
I sweetened the cake with a little coconut sugar, which gives it an almost caramel-like taste. It’s grain- free and dairy-free, but you wouldn’t even know!
How to make a lightened up apple cake
This cake is made in just a few simple steps.
- Start by cooking a peeled and sliced apple in a little butter, honey and cinnamon until it softens, then pour the mixture into to bottom of a cake pan
- Prepare the cake batter by whisking together all of your wet ingredients, then folding in the dry ingredients
- Pour the cake batter into the pan, over the glazed apples
- Bake the cake for about 35 minutes. Once it cools completely, flip it onto your serving dish
- Dust is off with powdered sugar, slice it and enjoy
The lightly sweetened cake truly melts in your mouth. It’s a delicious treat to make whether you’re gluten-free or not. You guys are going to love it!
Other gluten-free recipes you’ll love:
Gluten-free Tahini Banana Bread
Apple Cinnamon Muffins
Gluten-free Chocolate Biscotti
Gluten-free Upside Down Apple Cake
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups almond flour
- 1/2 cup tapioca flour
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar
- 1/2 cup milk of choice
- 3 eggs
- 1/4 cup oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 medium apple, peeled and chopped
Honey Glazed Apples
- 1 medium apple, peeled- I use honeycrisp
- 2 tbsp butter, dairy or vegan
- 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- Pinch cinnamon
- Top with: confectioners sugar
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350 F
- Start by preparing the glazed apples. Thinly slice 1 medium apple. Heat a large skillet on medium heat then add in the butter and honey. Once the butter is melted, add in the apple slices with a sprinkle of cinnamon. Let this cook for 5-7 minutes on medium heat, stirring occasionally.
- Line a 9″ cake pan with a piece of parchment on the bottom. I like to trace the top of the cake pan over a piece of parchment paper, and cut out a round piece to fit into the bottom of the pan
- Pour the glazed apples into the bottom of the pan. Spread them in an even layer and swirl the pan around to evenly distribute the liquid. Set aside.
- Prepare the cake batter by whisking together all of the wet ingredients, except for the chopped apples.
- Once the wet ingredients are smooth, fold in the dry ingredients and whisk to form a batter. Add in the chopped apple and stir together with a rubber spatula.
- Pour the cake batter into the pan, over the glazed apples
- Bake the cake for about 35-38 minutes, until the top is firm to touch and a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool completely. Once cool, place your serving platter over the top of the cake pan, then flip the cake directly onto the serving platter.
- Top with powdered sugar, slice and enjoy!
- You can keep the cake on the counter for up to two days, or refrigerate for up to 1 week. I suggest letting it reach room temperature before serving.
I’m so happy you enjoyed it!
My family loved this!
So happy to hear that!
This was so delicious and easy to make! I made it for Rosh Hashanah and it was a crowd pleaser. Very moist too. will definitely be making again.
Thank you Maddie! I hope you had a wonderful holiday 🙂