13 Upside-Down Cake Recipes for a Sweet Surprise

Upside-down cakes have a rich history that dates back to the 19th century. They are a type of cake that is baked with the topping at the bottom, creating a sweet and caramelized crust. This unique baking method results in a delicious treat that is full of flavor and texture.

Are you ready to discover the magic of upside-down cakes? With their caramelized fruit and brown sugar, these cakes are a world of sweet surprises. Get ready to indulge in a world of tasty delights and learn more about what makes these intriguing cakes so special.

1. Classic Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

Classic pineapple upside-down cake with caramelized fruit and brown sugar.

Ingredients

• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 4 large eggs
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup pineapple rings
• 1 cup cherry halves

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 10-inch tube pan.
2. Arrange pineapple rings and cherry halves in the prepared pan.
3. Mix brown sugar and 2 tablespoons of butter, and sprinkle over the fruit.
4. Whisk together flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt.
5. Beat in the remaining butter and eggs until well combined.
6. Pour the batter over the fruit and smooth the top.
7. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
8. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
9. Serve warm, flipped onto a plate to reveal the caramelized fruit.

2. Peach Upside-Down Cake With Brown Sugar

Moist peaches and brown sugar create a sweet, caramelized crust in this peach upside-down cake.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 ripe peaches, sliced
• 1/4 cup brown sugar

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
2. Grease a 10-inch tube pan or Bundt pan and set aside.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt.
4. In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, milk, eggs, and vanilla extract.
5. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined.
6. Arrange the sliced peaches in the prepared pan and sprinkle with brown sugar.
7. Pour the batter over the peaches and smooth the top.
8. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9. Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan for 10 minutes.
10. Invert onto a serving plate and serve warm.

3. Cherry Almond Upside-Down Cake

Cherry Almond Upside-Down Cake is a moist and flavorful dessert.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds
• 1 cup cherry pie filling
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/2 cup heavy cream

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 10-inch tube pan.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together butter, eggs, almond extract, and heavy cream.
4. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined.
5. Arrange the cherry pie filling in the prepared pan.
6. Sprinkle sliced almonds over the cherry filling.
7. Pour the batter over the almonds and smooth the top.
8. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
9. Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan for 10 minutes.
10. Invert onto a serving plate and serve warm.

4. Caramel Apple Upside-Down Cake

Moist caramel apple upside-down cake with tender apples and crispy brown sugar crust.

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2-3 apples, peeled and sliced
• 1/2 cup caramel sauce
• 1/4 cup brown sugar

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 10-inch tube pan.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat sugar and butter until light and fluffy.
4. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract.
5. With the mixer on low speed, gradually add flour mixture and milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture.
6. Arrange apple slices in the prepared pan and drizzle with caramel sauce.
7. Pour batter over the apples and smooth the top.
8. Sprinkle brown sugar over the batter.
9. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
10. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then invert onto a serving plate.

5. Banana Upside-Down Cake With Pecans

Moist banana cake topped with caramelized pecans and brown sugar.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 ripe bananas, mashed
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 10-inch tube pan.
2. Arrange pecans in the bottom of the prepared pan.
3. Mix brown sugar and melted butter, then pour over pecans.
4. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
5. Combine sugar, eggs, and mashed bananas in a separate bowl.
6. Add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until combined.
7. Pour batter over the pecan layer.
8. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
9. Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then invert onto a plate.

6. Upside-Down Cake With Fresh Berries

Fresh berries shine in this moist upside-down cake.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup whole milk
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups mixed fresh berries

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 10-inch tube pan.
2. Prepare the berry topping by mixing berries and 1/4 cup granulated sugar in a bowl.
3. Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.
4. Add softened butter and mix until crumbly.
5. In a separate bowl, whisk together milk and eggs.
6. Add the milk mixture to the dry ingredients and mix until smooth.
7. Arrange the berry mixture in the prepared tube pan.
8. Pour the cake batter over the berries.
9. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
10. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

7. Lemon Blueberry Upside-Down Cake

Lemon Blueberry Upside-Down Cake is a moist and flavorful dessert.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup whole milk
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 cup fresh blueberries
• 1/4 cup brown sugar

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 10-inch tube pan.
2. Prepare the blueberry topping by mixing brown sugar and blueberries in a bowl.
3. Arrange the blueberry mixture at the bottom of the prepared pan.
4. Whisk together flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.
5. In a separate bowl, whisk together butter, milk, eggs, lemon zest, and lemon juice.
6. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
7. Gently fold in the remaining blueberries.
8. Pour the batter over the blueberry topping in the prepared pan.
9. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
10. Remove from oven and let cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

8. Upside-Down Pear Cake With Ginger

Moist pear cake with a hint of ginger and a caramelized topping.

Ingredients

• 2 large pears, peeled and sliced
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup whole milk
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 10-inch tube pan.
2. Arrange the sliced pears in the prepared pan and set aside.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, ginger, baking powder, and salt.
4. In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, milk, eggs, and vanilla extract.
5. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
6. Pour the batter over the pears and smooth the top.
7. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan for 10 minutes.
9. Invert the cake onto a serving plate and serve warm.

9. Apricot Upside-Down Cake With Almonds

Sweet apricot upside-down cake with crunchy almond topping.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 cup sliced almonds
• 1 cup dried apricots

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 10-inch tube pan.
2. Prepare the topping by mixing sliced almonds and dried apricots in a bowl.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
4. Add softened butter, milk, eggs, and almond extract to the dry ingredients and mix until combined.
5. Arrange the apricot and almond topping in the prepared pan.
6. Pour the cake batter over the topping and smooth the surface.
7. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
8. Remove from oven and let cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

10. Plum Upside-Down Cake With Cardamom

Sweet plums and cardamom come together in this moist upside-down cake.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp ground cardamom
• 1 cup pitted and sliced plums
• 1/4 cup brown sugar

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and grease a 10-inch tube pan or bundt pan.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the sugar and butter until light and fluffy.
4. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the cardamom.
5. Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
6. Arrange the sliced plums in the prepared pan and sprinkle with brown sugar.
7. Pour the batter over the plums and smooth the top.
8. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9. Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting onto a wire rack to cool completely.

11. Orange Upside-Down Cake With Pistachios

Orange upside-down cake with pistachios is a moist and flavorful dessert.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup pistachio meal
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons grated orange zest
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
• 1 cup chopped pistachios
• 1 cup orange slices

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 10-inch tube pan.
2. Prepare the orange slices and pistachios for the topping.
3. Mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.
4. Add the softened butter and pistachio meal to the dry ingredients and mix until combined.
5. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the orange zest and juice.
6. Arrange the orange slices and pistachios in the prepared pan.
7. Pour the batter over the topping and smooth the top.
8. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
9. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing and transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
10. Slice and serve the cake once it has cooled.

12. Grapefruit Upside-Down Cake With Honey

Moist grapefruit upside-down cake infused with honey's sweetness.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup whole milk
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 cup grapefruit juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 grapefruit, peeled and sliced

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 10-inch tube pan.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
3. In another bowl, whisk together butter, milk, eggs, honey, grapefruit juice, and vanilla extract.
4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
5. Arrange grapefruit slices in the prepared pan.
6. Pour the batter over the grapefruit slices.
7. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
8. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

13. Upside-Down Fig Cake With Walnuts

Upside-Down Fig Cake With Walnuts is a moist and flavorful dessert.

Ingredients

• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 4 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup chopped fresh figs
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and grease a 10-inch tube pan.
2. Prepare the topping by mixing brown sugar, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, and 1/4 cup butter in a bowl.
3. Arrange the figs and walnuts in the prepared pan and pour the sugar mixture over them.
4. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
5. Beat the remaining butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy.
6. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then beat in the vanilla extract.
7. Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
8. Pour the batter over the topping in the pan and smooth the top.
9. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
10. Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Conclusion

You've explored 13 upside-down cake recipes, but the real surprise awaits - will you try them all, or will one become your obsession? The caramelized fruit and brown sugar will lure you in, but it's the flavors and textures that'll keep you coming back for more, leaving you wondering what other sweet secrets these cakes hold.