It’s hard to believe that summer is already slipping away, and I’m starting to look forward to cooler weather and decorating the farmhouse for fall. It seems like as soon as we get that first chilly morning, I’m craving pumpkin and apple desserts and wanting to bust out my chunky sweaters and boots. I’m sure I say this about every season, but fall is one that I really look forward to!
I haven’t quite convinced myself that it’s okay to start pulling out my pumpkins and plaid pillows to decorate the house with yet, but I DID find myself in the kitchen the other day whipping up one of my favorite easy fall treats, Apple Upside Down Spice Cake. It is such a simple recipe and has all the best flavors of fall, so I thought I’d share it with you today to kick off your holiday baking season!
I just love the rich, cinnamon-infused flavor of this cake paired with the buttery, sweet apples on top and a sprinkle of chopped walnuts hiding in between the apples to give this cake the perfect amount of crunch. But what makes this cake really great is how simple it is to make! The majority of our food and desserts I make from scratch, but there’s absolutely nothing wrong with using a basic boxed cake mix. I just use a few substitutions to the ingredients to give the cake some extra flavor, and it saves me time and lots of mess in my kitchen. Does anyone else get flour EVERYWHERE when they bake? Box cake mix recipes usually call for water, oil and eggs, but I swap the water for milk and the oil for melted butter plus one extra egg to add richness and flavor. That’s all it takes to make a basic mix extra delicious!
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 medium or 2 large cooking apples (I used Gala), peeled, cored and sliced
- ½ cup chopped walnuts
- ¼ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 package spice cake mix
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- Preheat oven to 350ºF. Grease a 13 x 9" baking dish and set aside. In a large skillet heat 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat until melted. Add the apples and walnuts and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes or until the apples are tender. Remove from heat and stir in brown sugar until combined. Spread the apple mixture into bottom of the prepared dish.
- Melt the remaining 5 tablespoons of butter and combine with the cake mix, eggs and milk in a large bowl. Mix on low speed with a stand or hand mixer for 30 seconds then on medium speed for 2 minutes. Pour batter evenly over the apples and bake for 32-36 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool dish on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Then loosen the sides of the cake from the dish with a knife and invert the cake onto a serving plate.
MORE APPLE RECIPES TO TRY:
To help celebrate the upcoming seasons, I wanted to share with you more delicious apple recipes from some of my very talented friends. We will be bringing you new recipes each month through the holidays! Is your mouth watering yet?
Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls by Ella Claire | Rustic Apple Cranberry Pie by Anderson and Grant |
Apple-Cranberry Slab Pie by Inspired by Charm | Apple Donuts by A Burst of Beautiful |
Caramel Apple Tart by Julie Blanner
Easy Apple Dumplings by Craftberry Bush | Apple Crisp by House 214 Design |
Apple Cider Scones by Everyday Occasions | Apple Fritter Skillet Bake by Nest of Posies |
Rustic Apple Tarte Tatin by Maison de Pax
Paleo Apple Crisp by Nesting with Grace | Crock Pot Applesauce by My Sweet Savannah |
Gluten Free Apple Crisp by City Farmhouse | Baked Breakfast Apples with Oatmeal by French Country Cottage |
Apple Blossom with Salted Caramel Sauce by Nina Hendrick Design
No Churn Apple Pie Ice Cream by Boxwood Avenue | Bird’s Nest Apple Pie by Zevy Joy |
Apple Upside Down Spice Cake by Love Grows Wild
I’m not even kidding, my mouth started watering. Apple spiced cake has got to me one of my all time favorites. I can’t wait to try this easy easy recipe!
I am ALL about this recipe. Spice cake is one of my favorites and the apple makes it extra special. DELISH!
xo Michael
Looks delish could you make it gluten free? Thanks
Now this, this I can do! Thank you for keeping it real!