Printable Recipe: Apple Walnut Upside-Down Cake

Apple Walnut Upside-Down Cake

The topping for this dense, rich cake calls for tangy Granny Smith apples to cut some of the sweetness. But you can sub Golden Delicious if you prefer a sweeter apple. Both are terrific! The final presentation is rustic and impressive-- you just want to dive right in. It's best served warm with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream, but this holiday apple cake is also delicious served at room temperature with a generous dollop of whipped cream.

This is one of those holiday dessert recipes that will have your guests clamoring for more. If you don't love ginger, you might want to cut the amount down a bit. I love the gingery bite of this apple cake recipe, but it's definitely noticeable.

Ingredients:

Topping:
1 1/2 lbs. Granny Smith apples (about 3 to 3 1/2 apples)
1/2 C. (1 stick) unsalted butter
2/3 C. sugar
1/2 C. coarsely chopped walnuts
2 tbsp. apple brandy or brandy, optional

Batter:
1/2 Granny Smith apple, peeled and chopped fine
1 1/2 C. all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 C. (1 stick), unsalted butter, softened
2/3 C. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 tbsp. fresh ginger, grated (can sub 2 tsp. powdered)
2 lg. eggs
1/2 C. sour cream

Instructions: 1. Peel apples. Core and cut apples into thick slices.

2. In a 10-inch cast iron or non-stick skillet, melt butter just until melted. Stir in sugar until beginning to dissolve.

3. Arrange apple slices in bottom of skillet. Sprinkle walnuts in the spaces between the apples. Pour brandy over, if using.

4. Cook apple mixture over medium-low heat without stirring or moving, for about 30 minutes. Apples should be tender and cooked through, and the sauce should be golden.

5. For cake batter, preheat oven to 375 degrees F, and combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt in a small mixing bowl.

6. In a separate large mixing bowl, combine butter and sugar. Beat with electric mixer until fluffy. Beat in vanilla and ginger.

7. One at a time, add eggs to butter mixture. Beat well after each addition. Beat in sour cream.

8. Slowly beat in flour mixture. Stir in chopped apple.

9. With the skillet off the heat, pour your cake batter carefully over your apple topping.

10. Place a jelly roll pan or baking sheet in the oven. Place skillet in oven on top of baking sheet.

11. Bake cake 25 to 35 minutes, til golden brown. When a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean (with a few crumbs), cake is cooked.

12. Cool cake in the skillet on wire rack for 10 minutes.

13. Use a knife along the edge of the cake to loosen. Carefully invert onto your serving plate.