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

Jump to Recipe· 4.9 from 66 reviews

If you’re craving something cozy, sweet, and downright irresistible for dessert, let me share my all-time favorite Vegan Apple Upside Down Cake Recipe with you. Trust me, this is one fan-freaking-tastic cake that brings together tender apple slices caramelized in brown sugar and cinnamon, all topped with a moist, spiced cake base. Plus, it’s completely vegan, so everyone can enjoy a slice (or three!). Stick around, and I’ll walk you through the whole process with some kitchen-tested tips to nail it every single time.

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Why This Recipe Works

Perfect Apple Caramelization: The brown sugar and vegan butter blend creates a rich, gooey caramel base that makes the apples sing.
Moist, Spiced Cake: Applesauce replaces eggs for moisture, while cinnamon and nutmeg add a cozy warmth that pairs beautifully with the apple topping.
Simple Yet Elegant: This cake looks fancy with the apple slices on top but is surprisingly easy to whip up—in under an hour!
Fully Vegan and Allergy-Friendly Options: Suitable for various diets, with easy swaps if you want gluten-free or dairy-free versions.

Vegan Apple Upside Down Cake, vegan apple dessert, plant-based apple cake, dairy-free apple cake, vegan apple dessert recipe - A round upside-down apple cake with thinly sliced apple pieces arranged in a circular pattern on top, glazed with a shiny brown caramel sauce that covers the entire surface and edges; the cake itself is dense and dark brown, sitting on a white plate with small speckled patterns, all placed on a white marbled texture background with a red apple partially visible in the bottom right corner, and some autumn-colored leaves in the top left corner photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The secret to this Vegan Apple Upside Down Cake Recipe is in the balance of flavors and textures. Each ingredient plays a role—from the silky vegan butter creating that luscious caramel, to the applesauce ensuring the cake stays tender and moist without any eggs. Let’s break it down so you know exactly why these ingredients are my go-to.

Vegan Apple Upside Down Cake, vegan apple dessert, plant-based apple cake, dairy-free apple cake, vegan apple dessert recipe - Flat lay of fresh red and golden apple slices with smooth, pale yellow vegan butter chunks, rich dark brown sugar crystals, warm cinnamon sticks and vibrant ground cinnamon powder, small wooden spoons holding pure vanilla extract, scattered light brown nutmeg seeds, and moist golden all-purpose flour dusts, arranged naturally with soft shadows and textured contrasts, placed on white marbled surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Vegan Butter: Crucial for that buttery caramel sauce and cake richness without dairy.
Brown Sugar: Adds deep, molasses-like sweetness essential for caramelizing apples.
Ground Cinnamon & Nutmeg: These warm spices bring cozy autumn vibes into the cake and topping.
Apples (medium-sized): I recommend firm, tart apples like Granny Smith to hold shape and balance sweetness.
All Purpose Flour: The cake’s foundation; if you’re gluten-free, a blended flour substitute works wonders here.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cake crumb without adding moisture.
Baking Powder: Gives your cake that perfect lift and fluffiness.
Applesauce (unsweetened): This is your vegan egg substitute, keeping the cake moist and tender.
Soy Milk (unsweetened): I use soy as it creates a neutral flavor, but other plant milks work too.
Pure Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and a lovely aroma that pulls all flavors together.
Salt: Balances sweetness and elevates flavors.

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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.

Tweak to Your Taste

One thing I love about this Vegan Apple Upside Down Cake Recipe is how easy it is to make your own. Over the years, I’ve played with a few variations that turned out just as delightful, so feel free to tweak it according to your preferences or what’s in your pantry.

Fruit Swap: Pear slices work beautifully here if you want a softer, mellower topping—just make sure they’re ripe but firm.
Spice It Up: Sometimes I add a pinch of ground cloves or ginger for an extra kick of warmth during the holidays.
Nutty Addition: Toasted walnuts or pecans sprinkled on top before baking add a lovely crunch and flavor contrast.
Gluten-Free Twist: Use a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend; just make sure your baking powder is gluten-free too!

Step-by-Step: How I Make Vegan Apple Upside Down Cake Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Prep the Pan

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). I like using a 9-inch cake pan that allows the apple slices to lay out beautifully. Don’t butter the bottom—just the sides to make flipping it out easier later on. Set it aside while you work on the delicious apple topping.

Step 2: Make the Apple Topping

In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the vegan butter and whisk in the brown sugar until everything’s nicely combined—this takes about a minute. This mixture is what creates the luscious caramel base that’s the star of an upside-down cake. Remove it from the heat and stir in the cinnamon and vanilla extract to infuse that warm, fragrant touch. Pour this gooey goodness into the cake pan, then arrange your peeled, thinly sliced apple slices on top. I like to overlap them slightly in a circular pattern, which looks gorgeous when the cake’s inverted later.

Step 3: Whip Up the Cake Batter

Grab a large mixing bowl and whisk together the dry ingredients — all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Mixing the sugars gives the batter a natural sweetness and depth. In a separate bowl or measuring cup, combine the wet ingredients: melted vegan butter (or oil), unsweetened applesauce, soy milk, and vanilla extract. Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir gently until just combined—don’t overmix, or you risk a dense cake!

Step 4: Assemble and Bake

Pour your batter evenly over the apples in the pan. It’s pretty thick, so use a spatula to spread it out gently. Pop the pan into the oven and bake for about 35-40 minutes. I always start checking at 35 minutes by poking a toothpick into the center—it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. Let the cake cool for about 5 minutes once it’s out of the oven before flipping it onto a serving plate to reveal that glossy, caramelized apple top. This wait is worth it, as the topping firms up slightly, making slicing easier.

If you want to go the extra mile, serve with a scoop of dairy-free vanilla ice cream or some plant-based whipped cream to make it extra special!

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Pro Tips for Making Vegan Apple Upside Down Cake Recipe

Choosing Apples: Firmer apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp hold their shape best and give a nice tart contrast to the sweet caramel.
Don’t Skip the Resting Time: Let the cake cool a bit before flipping to avoid a sticky mess—patience pays off beautifully here.
Use Room Temperature Ingredients: This helps the batter mix more evenly and keeps the cake light.
Prevent Sticking: Butter the pan’s sides well, and consider lining the bottom with parchment paper if you’re worried about flipping it out smoothly.

How to Serve Vegan Apple Upside Down Cake Recipe

Garnishes

I’m pretty fond of serving this cake simply with a dusting of powdered sugar or a rustic sprinkle of finely chopped toasted pecans. For special occasions, a scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream or a dollop of coconut whipped cream adds a creamy touch that complements the warm apple flavors beautifully.

Side Dishes

This cake pairs perfectly with a cup of chai tea or freshly brewed coffee for a cozy afternoon treat. If serving as dessert after dinner, a small bowl of mixed berries or a spiced apple compote on the side can complete the plate elegantly.

Creative Ways to Present

Once, I made mini versions of this Vegan Apple Upside Down Cake Recipe in individual ramekins topped with a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar for a charming party presentation. You can also drizzle a warm vegan caramel sauce over slices to glam things up for holiday gatherings. Using decorative fresh apple slices or edible flowers around the plate makes it even more special.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover cake? No problem! I store mine in an airtight container in the fridge, where it keeps beautifully for up to 3 days. The flavors even deepen a bit overnight, which I personally love.

Freezing

I’ve frozen slices wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, and thawed them in the fridge overnight. The texture holds up well, and the cake tastes almost as fresh as right out of the oven.

Reheating

To warm up leftovers, I gently heat slices in a 300°F oven for about 8-10 minutes or pop them in the microwave for 20-30 seconds. That little warm-up revives the caramel and spices wonderfully without drying out the cake.

FAQs

Can I use other types of apples for this Vegan Apple Upside Down Cake Recipe?

Absolutely! While I recommend firmer apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp because they hold their shape well, you can experiment with sweet varieties like Fuji or Gala if you prefer a softer, sweeter topping. Just keep in mind softer apples might cook down more and become mushy.
What can I substitute for the vegan butter in this recipe?

If you don’t have vegan butter on hand, neutral oils like refined coconut oil or avocado oil work great, especially in the topping and cake batter. For the topping, coconut oil gives a subtly different flavor but still makes a lovely caramel.
Is this cake suitable for gluten-free diets?

Yes! Using a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend instead of regular flour works well. Just make sure your baking powder and other ingredients are gluten-free. The texture might be slightly denser, but the flavor stays amazing.
How do I avoid the cake sticking when I flip it out of the pan?

Make sure to butter the sides of your cake pan thoroughly and let the cake cool for at least 5 minutes after baking before flipping. If you’re worried, line the bottom with parchment paper before adding the apple topping—that extra layer helps the cake release perfectly.

Final Thoughts

This Vegan Apple Upside Down Cake Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it’s that one dessert that always impresses, whether I’m baking for family or sudden guests. The blend of caramelized apples and warm spices wrapped in a tender cake feels like a big cozy hug in dessert form. I can’t recommend it enough if you want an easy, elegant, and absolutely delicious cake that stays moist and satisfying. Give it a go—and I bet it’ll become your new favorite autumn treat too!