APPLE-WALNUT UPSIDE-DOWN CAKE

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Apple-Walnut Upside-Down Cake image

Using a cast-iron skillet means you cancaramelize the apples and bake the cake all in one vessel. Plus, the remaining apple juices form the base for the caramel sauce. It's a win all the way.

Provided by Claire Saffitz

Categories     Bon Appétit     Dessert     Cake     Apple     Fall     Winter     Walnut     Butter     Bake     Nutmeg     Cinnamon     Yogurt     Peanut Free     Soy Free

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 cup raw walnuts or pecans
10 Tbsp. unsalted butter, room temperature, divided
4 small or 3 large baking apples (such as Pink Lady), peeled, halved, cored
½ cup (packed) light brown sugar, divided
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp. kosher salt
1 tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. baking powder
¼ tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
1½ tsp. ground cinnamon, plus more for serving
½ cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 tsp. vanilla extract
½ cup plain whole-milk Greek yogurt, room temperature
Lightly sweetened, softly whipped cream (for serving)

Steps:

  • Place a rack in middle of oven and preheat to 350°F. Spread out walnuts on a rimmed baking sheet and toast, tossing once, until golden brown, 10-12 minutes. Let cool.
  • Meanwhile, heat a 10" ovenproof skillet, preferably cast iron, over medium. Add 2 Tbsp. butter and swirl to coat; arrange apple halves cut sides down in a single layer in skillet. Cook apples, undisturbed, rotating skillet on burner as needed for even browning, until cut sides are golden brown, 5-10 minutes (the timing depends on the juiciness of the apples; juicier apples will take longer). Turn apples over and cook on rounded sides just until they start to release their juices and the tip of a knife slides through with slight resistance, about 5 minutes. Transfer apples to a plate, arrange cut sides up, and let cool.
  • Add ¼ cup brown sugar and 1 Tbsp. water to skillet and set over medium heat. Stir with a wooden spoon or heatproof rubber spatula until sugar is dissolved, then cook, swirling skillet occasionally (do not stir at this point), until thick and bubbling in a thin layer, about 1 minute. Let caramel cool in skillet.
  • Meanwhile, pulse toasted walnuts, flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, nutmeg, and 1½ tsp. cinnamon in a food processor until combined and nuts are finely ground. Transfer walnut mixture to a medium bowl.
  • Combine granulated sugar, remaining ¼ cup brown sugar, and remaining 8 Tbsp. butter in food processor (no need to wash it) and process in long pulses until mixture is light and smooth. Add eggs and vanilla and process in long pulses, scraping down sides of processor once, until mixture is smooth. Add half of walnut mixture and pulse to combine, then add yogurt and pulse just until incorporated. Add remaining walnut mixture and pulse just to combine.
  • Arrange apple halves cut sides down over cooled caramel in skillet, spacing evenly. Fold batter a few times with spatula, scraping sides to make sure everything is well mixed. Scrape batter over apples and work into spaces around apples. Smooth surface (it's okay if there's only a thin layer of batter in places; it will rise in the oven).
  • Bake cake until it is browned across the entire surface and the center springs back when gently pressed, 30-40 minutes. Let cake cool in skillet 10 minutes, then run an offset spatula or a small knife around the sides of the pan to loosen. Set a wire rack upside down on skillet and flip over to release cake; carefully remove skillet. If any apples or cake stick to skillet, scrape them off and press back onto the top of the cake.
  • Serve cake warm or room temperature. Slice into wedges and top with dollops of whipped cream and a dusting of cinnamon.
  • Do Ahead: Cake can be baked 2 days ahead. Let cool completely. Store tightly wrapped at room temperature.

Jalil Kashani
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This cake is a keeper! It's easy to make and always turns out great. The cake is moist and flavorful, and the caramel sauce is perfect. I will definitely be making this cake again and again.


Umaru Hauwau
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This cake is delicious! The apples are perfectly caramelized and the walnuts add a nice crunch. The cake is moist and flavorful, and the caramel sauce is to die for. I will definitely be making this cake again.


Bentley Torres
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This cake is a winner! The apples and walnuts add a nice crunch, and the caramel sauce is the perfect finishing touch. I highly recommend this recipe.


Irmane Michel
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I love this cake! It's so easy to make and it always turns out perfect. The cake is moist and flavorful, and the caramel sauce is divine. I will definitely be making this cake again and again.


Adegunloye Rebecca
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This cake is the perfect fall dessert. The apples and walnuts give it a nice crunch, and the caramel sauce is the perfect finishing touch. I highly recommend this recipe.


jermaine Beckman
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I'm not a baker, but this recipe was easy to follow and my cake turned out great! The cake was moist and flavorful, and the caramel sauce was perfect. I will definitely be making this cake again.


Adwoa Pinky
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This cake is my go-to dessert for potlucks and parties. It's always a hit! The cake is moist and flavorful, and the caramel sauce is out of this world. I highly recommend this recipe.


Mubeja Steven
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I made this cake for a bake sale and it sold out in minutes. Everyone loved it! The cake was moist and flavorful, and the caramel sauce was divine. I will definitely be making this cake again.


Yvonne Bramble
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This cake is easy to make and always turns out great. The apples and walnuts give it a nice crunch, and the caramel sauce is the perfect finishing touch. I highly recommend this recipe.


Xakak Ssjkk
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I followed the recipe exactly and my cake turned out perfectly. It was moist and flavorful, and the caramel sauce was delicious. I will definitely be making this cake again.


Anita Kai
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This cake was a disappointment. The apples were not caramelized and the cake was dry. I would not recommend this recipe.


Don Webb
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I'm not a fan of apple cake, but I decided to try this recipe anyway. I'm so glad I did! The cake was moist and flavorful, and the caramel sauce was perfect. I will definitely be making this cake again.


Ed Semo
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This cake is amazing! I love the way the apples and walnuts caramelize in the oven. The cake is moist and flavorful, and the caramel sauce is to die for. I will definitely be making this cake again and again.


dope Dope16jnr
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I made this cake for my husband's birthday and he loved it! He said it was the best apple cake he had ever had. The cake was moist and flavorful, and the caramel sauce was perfectly sweet and gooey. I will definitely be making this cake again.


Abdullah Azam
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This is my new favorite apple cake recipe. It's so easy to make and it always turns out perfect. I love the combination of apples, walnuts, and caramel. It's the perfect fall dessert.


Rishiram Bastola
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I made this cake for a potluck and it was a huge success. Everyone loved it! The cake was moist and flavorful, and the caramel sauce was divine. I will definitely be making this again.


River Bowkett
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This cake was delicious! The apples were perfectly caramelized and the walnuts added a nice crunch. I served it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and it was heaven.


Amy Jones
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I'm not a baker, but this recipe was easy to follow and my cake turned out perfectly. The caramel sauce is amazing! I will definitely be making this again.


Dumb Ass
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This apple walnut upside-down cake was a hit at my family gathering! It was moist, flavorful, and had the perfect balance of sweetness. I used Granny Smith apples, which gave the cake a nice tartness that complemented the sweetness of the walnuts and