I think I run this post every year, but this cake is seriously that good and we make it all the time! Since it is apple season here in Michigan and I am breaking out the tested and delicious apple recipes from my collection, I thought I would remind everyone how good and easy this cake really is and I decided to revive it again from the archives. Enjoy!
Okay, okay. I know. Apple cider AND desserts two weeks in a row. It’s unheard of here on the Mid-Century Menu, where everything is supposed to be scary all the time. But, I was so disappointed with the lack of cider flavor in last week’s Cider Eggnog Pie that I had to try again this week. I mean, you understand, right? It’s all for legitimate scientific testing. I set out to find a mid-century recipe full of cider flavor, and I need to find it.
Plus, I wanted Tom to buy me more cider.
I am happy to say that I succeeded on both counts.
This is Apple Cider Upside-Down Cake. And it is delicious.
AuthorRetroRuth
From Apple Kitchen Cook Book by Demetria Taylor, 1966
Tested Recipe!
[cooked-sharing]
Pare and core apples, slice thin. Simmer in cider 5 mins, or until just tender. Drain, reserving cider.
Combine 2 T cider, brown sugar, walnuts and butter on the bottom of a 13x9 pan. Set in 350-degree oven for 5 mins; then remove from oven.
Prepare cake mix, using rest of reserved cider plus any additional water needed for water portion for cake mix.
Arrange apple slices over brown sugar mixture in pan. Pour batter over apples, and bake at 350 degrees for 40 mins, or until done. Invert, and let stand one minute, remove pan.
Ingredients
Directions
Pare and core apples, slice thin. Simmer in cider 5 mins, or until just tender. Drain, reserving cider.
Combine 2 T cider, brown sugar, walnuts and butter on the bottom of a 13x9 pan. Set in 350-degree oven for 5 mins; then remove from oven.
Prepare cake mix, using rest of reserved cider plus any additional water needed for water portion for cake mix.
Arrange apple slices over brown sugar mixture in pan. Pour batter over apples, and bake at 350 degrees for 40 mins, or until done. Invert, and let stand one minute, remove pan.
Notes
I think my favorite part was when I got to cook the apples in cider for that double apple flavor that makes us all crazy.
Except I have to admit I cheated a little bit on this one, which I normally don’t do. I took the cider drained off from the apples and, instead of guzzling it down like I wanted to, I substituted it for the water in the cake mix. And I am not sorry.
Not. At. All.
Especially when it gets this kind of reaction from Tom:
Rarrrrr!
The Verdict:
Really yummy and very easy. Normally I don’t use cake mixes for cakes, but this one was really good with a cake mix. But you could probably sub your favorite spice cake recipe or even gingerbread….oh…wait. That was just a really good idea. I know what I am making later this week, after we scarf our way through this whole cake. Apple Cider Upside-Down Gingerbread!
*If you make this recipe, be aware that my cake was done WAY earlier than 55 mins. It took about 40. Check your cake for doneness according to the package directions
Hello, I’d love to try this recipe, but sadly, where I come from we only have plain cake mixes… What should I do? We also don’t really have spice mixes, so what spices should I add to make it as authentic as possible? Thank you!
Spice cake has ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and allspice in it, if that helps. Maybe a teaspoon of cinnamon and a half teaspoon of the other spices added to a a yellow cake mix? Just my idea.
I wonder how it would be with gingerbread, yes!
I’m just glad it doesn’t have prunes or dried beef in it 🙂
I don’t remember how I found you, or why it happened, but last night I spent over 2 hours on your site reading all the recipes and laughing hysterically. This is my new favorite site, I absolutely loved it and will be visiting again. That’s all I had to say. Oh, and poor Tom…he really has a stomach of steel.
Have made this recipe twice now and it has been a hit with family and friends. A new fall favorite!
I just made this yesterday and it turned out FANTASTICALLY. The only modifications I made were to add a little nutmeg, cinnamon, and ginger to the apple slices after poaching them in the cider. Everyone raved about how good it was and I’m definitely making it again this fall. Thank you for trying it out first so I didn’t have to. 😉