Name: Mary Berry Apple Upside Down Cake
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: British
Ingredients: 4 tbsp Unsalted Butter (melted): Creates a rich base for the apples.; 1/2 cup Brown Sugar: Adds a caramel flavor to the topping.; 2 Large Apples (peeled, cored, and thinly sliced): Choose tart apples like Granny Smith or sweet varieties like Honeycrisp for flavor contrast.; 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter (softened): Adds moisture and richness to the cake.; 3/4 cup Caster Sugar: Sweetens and helps create a tender crumb.; 2 Large Eggs: Provides structure and lift.; 1 tsp Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and flavor to the cake.; 1 cup Self-Raising Flour: Makes the cake light and fluffy.; 1/4 cup Whole Milk: Keeps the cake soft and moist.

Description

Mary Berry’s Apple Upside-Down Cake is a simple yet elegant dessert featuring caramelized apple slices arranged at the bottom of the cake pan, topped with a light, fluffy sponge. Once baked and inverted, the caramelized apples create a beautiful, glossy topping that makes this cake as visually appealing as it is delicious.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Topping

4 tbsp Unsalted Butter (melted): Creates a rich base for the apples.
1/2 cup Brown Sugar: Adds a caramel flavor to the topping.
2 Large Apples (peeled, cored, and thinly sliced): Choose tart apples like Granny Smith or sweet varieties like Honeycrisp for flavor contrast.

For the Cake Batter

1/2 cup Unsalted Butter (softened): Adds moisture and richness to the cake.
3/4 cup Caster Sugar: Sweetens and helps create a tender crumb.
2 Large Eggs: Provides structure and lift.
1 tsp Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and flavor to the cake.
1 cup Self-Raising Flour: Makes the cake light and fluffy.
1/4 cup Whole Milk: Keeps the cake soft and moist.

Instructions

Step 1. Prepare the Topping

Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Pour the melted butter into the bottom of a 9-inch round cake pan, swirling to coat evenly. Sprinkle the brown sugar over the melted butter to create an even layer. Arrange the apple slices in a circular pattern over the brown sugar layer.

Step 2. Make the Cake Batter

In a mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and caster sugar together using an electric mixer or whisk until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then add the vanilla extract.

Step 3. Combine the Dry Ingredients

Sift the self-raising flour into the wet ingredients, folding gently until just combined. Pour in the milk and mix just until the batter is smooth and well-blended, being careful not to overmix.

Step 4. Pour the Batter Over the Topping

Carefully pour the batter over the arranged apples and spread it evenly with a spatula to cover the apples completely.

Step 5. Bake the Cake

Place the cake pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The cake should be golden brown, and the edges should pull away slightly from the pan.

Step 6. Cool and Invert

Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Run a knife around the edges to loosen, then carefully invert the cake onto a serving plate. Let it cool slightly before serving.