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

I absolutely love how this Vegan Apple Upside Down Cake recipe turns out—it’s comfort food with a fresh, plant-based twist. The rich caramel-like apple topping paired with warm cinnamon-spiced cake makes it perfect for cozy afternoons or as a show-stopping dessert when friends come over. You’ll find that this cake is moist, flavorful, and totally indulgent without using any eggs or dairy, which is a huge win in my book.

When I first tried this recipe, I was amazed at how simple it was to pull off yet so impressive to serve. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or new to vegan desserts, this cake is forgiving and easy to customize. Plus, it’s a wholesome way to use up some apples you might have lying around. Trust me, this Vegan Apple Upside Down Cake recipe will become one you reach for on repeat!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Moist and Flavorful: The combo of applesauce and vegan butter keeps the cake incredibly tender and flavorful.
Simple Ingredients: You probably have everything you need in your pantry right now.
Perfect for Any Occasion: Elegant enough for guests but easy enough for a weeknight treat.
Totally Vegan and Adaptable: Great for anyone avoiding eggs and dairy, with easy swaps for gluten-free options.

The image shows a round upside-down apple cake on a white plate. The cake has a top layer made of thin golden-brown apple slices arranged in a circular pattern, covered with a shiny caramel glaze that looks sticky and smooth. The cake layer beneath is light brown and soft in texture, with one slice being lifted by a silver spatula, revealing a moist inside. The plate sits on a wooden surface, and there are parts of apples and some small flowers slightly blurred in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Vegan Apple Upside Down Cake recipe uses simple pantry staples and fresh apples that come together beautifully to create those classic upside-down flavors. A little tip—choose crisp, tart apples like Granny Smith for the best texture and tangy balance.

Vegan butter: Adds richness to the apple topping and cake; use melted for the batter and softened for the topping.
Brown sugar: Adds caramel notes; packed brown sugar gives a deeper flavor to the topping and cake.
Ground cinnamon: Essential for warm spice flavor—don’t skimp on this.
Pure vanilla extract: Enhances overall sweetness and aroma; quality vanilla makes a noticeable difference.
Apples: Use firm, crisp varieties that hold their shape when baked, like Gala, Fuji, or Granny Smith.
All purpose flour: Base of the cake; can be swapped with gluten-free flour if preferred.
Granulated sugar: Balances the brown sugar and helps the cake rise nicely.
Baking powder: Provides lift and light texture to the cake.
Ground nutmeg: Adds subtle spice that complements cinnamon beautifully.
Salt: Enhances all the sweet and spicy flavors.
Unsweetened applesauce: Boosts moisture and prevents the cake from drying out.
Unsweetened soy milk: Keeps the batter smooth and dairy-free.

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.

Variations

I love playing around with this Vegan Apple Upside Down Cake recipe depending on the season and what’s in my fridge. Feel free to swap the apples for other fruits or add mix-ins to make it your own.

Pear Upside Down Cake: I’ve swapped apples for ripe but firm pears, which adds a lovely floral sweetness and works just as well in this recipe.
Gluten-Free Version: Using a quality gluten-free all-purpose flour blend makes this dessert friendly for gluten-sensitive friends without sacrificing texture.
Nutty Upgrade: Adding chopped walnuts or pecans on top with the apples gives a wonderful crunch and extra depth.
Spiced Variation: Feel free to boost the spices with ground ginger or cloves for a more autumnal vibe.

How to Make Vegan Apple Upside Down Cake Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Pan

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Butter the sides of your 9-inch cake pan well, but don’t butter the bottom—this helps the caramel topping stick perfectly without making a mess when you flip the cake later. Set the pan aside while you prepare the apple topping.

Step 2: Make the Caramel Apple Topping

In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the vegan butter and brown sugar together, whisking frequently. It only takes about a minute until the mixture is smooth and glossy. Off the heat, stir in ground cinnamon and vanilla extract for that warm, cozy flavor. Pour this luscious sauce into your prepared pan, then arrange your peeled, thinly sliced apples on top. I like to fan mine out in a circle to make it pretty for presentation, but you can pile them up however you want—it all tastes amazing!

Step 3: Whisk Together the Cake Batter

Grab a large bowl and whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. In a separate bowl, mix your melted vegan butter, unsweetened applesauce, soy milk, and vanilla extract. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and gently stir until just combined—don’t overmix or the cake might get tough!

Step 4: Assemble and Bake

Pour the batter evenly over your arranged apple slices in the pan. Smooth the top with a spatula to make sure it’s level. Pop the cake into your preheated oven and bake for about 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The smell as this bakes is heavenly, so your kitchen will feel instantly cozy.

Step 5: Cool and Invert

Let the cake cool in the pan for about 5 minutes once it’s out of the oven. Then place your serving plate on top of the cake pan and carefully invert it to release the cake with the apple topping on display. This part might seem tricky at first, but once you get the hang of it, it’s super satisfying to see how gorgeous it looks!

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Pro Tips for Making Vegan Apple Upside Down Cake Recipe

Even Apple Slices: Slice your apples uniformly to ensure even cooking and a neat topping appearance.
Don’t Overmix Batter: Stir until just combined to keep the cake tender and avoid a dense texture.
Rest Before Inverting: Let the cake cool slightly to firm up the topping and prevent sticking or breakage.
Use a Sharp Spatula: Run a knife or thin spatula gently around the edges before flipping to loosen the cake if needed.

How to Serve Vegan Apple Upside Down Cake Recipe

The image shows a round upside-down cake on a white plate, placed on a wooden surface. The cake has a glossy caramel layer on top with golden-brown cooked apple slices arranged in a circular pattern, overlapping slightly. The caramel sauce looks thick and shiny, dripping a little over the sides of the light brown cake base. The apple slices have a soft, translucent texture with hints of darker caramelized spots. In the blurred background, there is a whole light red and yellow apple. The overall look is warm and inviting. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I love topping this cake with a scoop of dairy-free vanilla ice cream or a dollop of coconut whipped cream—it adds a creamy contrast to the warm, spiced apple topping. A sprinkle of toasted pecans or a light dusting of cinnamon sugar on top also makes it feel extra special.

Side Dishes

This cake pairs beautifully with a simple green salad if you’re serving it as part of a larger meal, or just enjoy it solo as a sweet treat any time of day. A cup of chai tea or hot apple cider complements its cozy spices perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve served this cake with caramel drizzle and fresh apple slices around the platter for extra wow factor. Another fun idea is to bake mini individual cakes in muffin tins using this recipe—perfect for parties or lunchbox treats!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover Vegan Apple Upside Down Cake covered tightly in the fridge for up to 3 days. It stays moist and delicious, and if you find it a bit firm out of the fridge, just let it come to room temperature before digging in.

Freezing

I’ve frozen slices wrapped well in plastic wrap and foil with success—just thaw overnight in the fridge before serving. For best texture, I recommend enjoying frozen cake within a month.

Reheating

To revive leftover cake, I gently warm slices in a microwave for about 20 seconds or briefly in a 300°F oven wrapped in foil. This brings back that soft crumb and caramelized apple goodness without drying out the cake.

FAQs

Can I use other fruits besides apples in this Vegan Apple Upside Down Cake Recipe?

Absolutely! Pears work beautifully, as do peaches or even pineapples if you want a tropical twist. Just adjust the slicing thickness and softness of the fruit to ensure even cooking and maintain that signature upside-down look.
Is this Vegan Apple Upside Down Cake Recipe gluten-free?

The recipe is naturally vegan, but to make it gluten-free, swap the regular all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend that includes xanthan gum for structure. Many readers have had great results this way, so it’s a reliable substitution.
How do I prevent the cake from sticking to the pan when flipping?

Butter the sides of the pan well before adding the topping and batter, and allow the cake to cool for at least 5 minutes post-bake. Running a knife carefully around the edges before flipping helps loosen the cake too. Using a good quality non-stick pan can also save you some headaches here.
Can I make this recipe nut-free?

Yes! This Vegan Apple Upside Down Cake recipe is naturally nut-free, since it doesn’t require any nuts unless you choose to add them for texture. Just ensure your vegan butter is also free of nuts, and you’re good to go.

Final Thoughts

This Vegan Apple Upside Down Cake recipe holds a special place in my heart because it combines simple ingredients into something truly comforting and joyful. I think you’ll enjoy the ease and flavor just as much as I do, especially since it’s perfect for sharing or savoring solo with a hot cup of tea. Give it a try—you might just find your new favorite dessert that everyone will ask for again and again!