Ghostly Apple Caramel Upside-Down Pumpkin Cake – Spooky Halloween Dessert

It all started in my cozy kitchen, experimenting with family-favorite flavors for busy weeknights. This Apple Caramel Upside-Down Pumpkin Cake quickly became a hit—its moist pumpkin cake paired with sweet caramelized apples makes it a perfect fall treat. Easy to customize, family-friendly, and ideal for one-pot baking, this recipe brings comfort and warmth to your table. Whether it’s a special occasion or a simple dessert, this caramel apple upside-down cake delights every time.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

If you’re looking for a dessert that combines the cozy flavors of fall with a show-stopping presentation, this Apple Caramel Upside-Down Pumpkin Cake is the perfect choice. Unlike a standard apple Upside-Down cake, this recipe blends moist pumpkin cake with rich, buttery caramel and tender apples, creating a dessert that’s both comforting and impressive. Inspired by old-fashioned caramel apple cake traditions, it’s easy to make, family-friendly, and ideal for busy weeknights or special occasions.

This easy apple caramel Upside-Down cake is fully customizable—you can adjust the spice level, apple variety, or caramel intensity to suit your taste. Whether you’ve tried an Upside-Down apple cake Mary Berry style or an apple Upside-Down cake Jamie Oliver recommends, this moist caramel apple cake recipe elevates the classic with pumpkin for extra flavor and texture. For the best apple caramel Upside-Down pumpkin cake experience, serve warm with a scoop of ice cream or a drizzle of extra caramel for a dessert that everyone will love.

Ingredients for This Recipe

This Apple Caramel Upside-Down Pumpkin Cake brings together simple pantry staples and fresh ingredients to create a dessert that’s both comforting and flavorful. The caramel apple topping uses firm, crisp apples such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji, which hold their shape while baking and pair beautifully with buttery brown sugar caramel. The pumpkin cake base is enriched with warm spices—cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger—adding depth and fall-inspired aroma. This combination makes for a moist caramel apple cake recipe that’s easy to prepare yet impressively delicious.

Whether you’ve tried an Upside-Down apple cake Mary Berry style, or an apple Upside-Downcake Jamie Oliver recommends, this recipe elevates the classic with pumpkin for extra moisture and flavor. Perfect as an easy caramel apple Upside-Down cake or an old fashioned apple caramel Upside-Down pumpkin cake, it’s ideal for busy weeknights, festive occasions, or just a cozy family dessert. This easy apple caramel Upside-Down pumpkin cake recipe is versatile, comforting, and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.

🛒 Ingredients (for one 9-inch round cake):

For the Caramel Apple Topping:

• 3–4 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji), peeled, cored, and sliced
• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
• ½ cup packed brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

For the Pumpkin Cake:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup packed brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup pumpkin puree (canned or homemade)
• ¼ cup whole milk

This ingredient list creates the best apple caramel Upside-Down pumpkin cake, a moist caramel apple cake recipe that is both easy to make and deliciously satisfying.

How to Make This Recipe

Making this Apple Caramel Upside-Down Pumpkin Cake is easier than it looks, and it’s a wonderful twist on a classic old fashioned caramel apple cake. The combination of tender pumpkin cake and gooey caramelized apples creates a moist caramel apple cake recipe that’s perfect for family dinners or festive occasions. Whether you’ve tried an Upside-Down apple cake Mary Berry style or an apple Upside-Down cake Jamie Oliver recommends, this easy apple caramel Upside-Down pumpkin cake recipe delivers rich flavor and a beautiful presentation with minimal effort. This easy caramel apple Upside-Down cake is customizable, comforting, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

🛒 Steps:

Step 1: Prepare the Caramel Apple Topping

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Melt ½ cup butter in a 9-inch round cake pan over low heat.
• Stir in ½ cup packed brown sugar and ½ teaspoon cinnamon until smooth.
• Arrange 3–4 sliced apples evenly over the caramel mixture.

Step 2: Make the Pumpkin Cake Batter

• Whisk together 1 ½ cups flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon nutmeg, and ¼ teaspoon ginger.
• Cream ½ cup butter with ¾ cup granulated sugar and ½ cup brown sugar.
• Beat in 2 eggs, one at a time, then add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1 cup pumpkin puree.
• Gradually mix in dry ingredients alternately with ¼ cup milk until smooth.

Step 3: Assemble and Bake

• Pour the pumpkin batter over the apple-caramel topping, smoothing the surface.
• Bake for 40–45 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
• Let cool for 10–15 minutes, then invert onto a serving plate carefully.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy

• Serve warm or at room temperature.
• Optional: drizzle with extra caramel for the best apple caramel Upside-Down pumpkin cake experience.

This easy apple Upside-Down cake and easy apple caramel cake combination ensures a moist caramel apple cake recipe that’s perfect for any occasion.

Expert Cooking Tips

Creating the perfect Apple Caramel Upside-Down Pumpkin Cake is all about balancing flavors and textures. Choosing the right apples is key for a moist caramel apple cake recipe—firm varieties like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji hold their shape while baking. The pumpkin cake base adds moisture and warmth, making this easy caramel apple Upside-Down cake both flavorful and tender. Whether you’re making an old fashioned caramel apple cake or an easy apple caramel Upside-Down pumpkin cake recipe, small adjustments can elevate the dessert to the best apple caramel Upside-Down pumpkin cake you’ve ever served.

💡 Expert Tips:

• Use firm, tart apples for the topping to avoid mushy texture in your apple Upside-Down cake.
• Ensure the caramel is evenly spread before adding apple slices for consistent sweetness.
• Lightly grease the pan and line with parchment to make flipping your easy apple Upside-Down cake easier.
• For a richer flavor, toast the spices in the dry mix before combining with wet ingredients for the old fashioned apple caramel Upside-Down pumpkin cake.
• Let the cake cool for 10–15 minutes before inverting to keep the caramel topping intact, creating a perfect easy caramel apple Upside-Down cake.
• Customize with extra drizzle of caramel or a scoop of ice cream for the best apple caramel Upside-Down pumpkin cake presentation.

This expert advice ensures your moist caramel apple cake recipe turns out beautifully every time.

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This Apple Caramel Upside-Down Pumpkin Cake is the perfect dessert for cozy family nights, festive fall gatherings, or any occasion that calls for a comforting treat. Combining a moist pumpkin cake base with sweet, buttery caramel and tender apples, it elevates the classic old fashioned caramel apple cake into a flavorful, crowd-pleasing dessert. Whether you’re making an easy caramel apple Upside-Down cake for weeknights or the best apple caramel Upside-Down pumpkin cake for special celebrations, it’s sure to delight every palate.

Apple Caramel Upside-Down Pumpkin Cake

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• Author: Savannah
• Total Time: 40–45 minutes
• Yield: 10–12 servings 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

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Description

A moist and flavorful fall dessert featuring caramelized apples atop a spiced pumpkin cake. This upside-down cake combines classic caramel apple flavors with seasonal pumpkin, perfect for autumn gatherings, Thanksgiving, or cozy dessert nights.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

🛒 Ingredients (for one 9-inch round cake):

For the Caramel Apple Topping:

• 3–4 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji), peeled, cored, and sliced

• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter

• ½ cup packed brown sugar

• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

For the Pumpkin Cake:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• ½ teaspoon baking soda

• ½ teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger

• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened

• ¾ cup granulated sugar

• ½ cup packed brown sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 cup pumpkin puree (canned or homemade)

• ¼ cup whole milk

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Instructions

📝 Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the Topping

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. In a 9-inch round cake pan, melt butter over low heat. Stir in brown sugar and cinnamon until smooth.

3. Arrange apple slices evenly over the caramel mixture. Set aside.

Step 2: Make the Cake Batter

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.

2. In a large bowl, cream butter with granulated and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla.

3. Mix in pumpkin puree. Gradually add dry ingredients alternately with milk, mixing until smooth.

Step 3: Assemble and Bake

1. Pour batter evenly over the apple-caramel layer. Smooth the top.

2. Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

3. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes, then carefully invert onto a serving plate.

Step 4: Serve

• Serve warm or at room temperature. Optional: drizzle with extra caramel sauce or a dusting of powdered sugar.

Notes

• Apple Variety: Firm apples prevent mushy topping.

• Make Ahead: Cake can be baked a day in advance; cover and store at room temperature.

• Mini Version: Make in muffin tins for individual upside-down cakes.

• Spice Adjustment: Increase cinnamon or nutmeg for a bolder fall flavor.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 35–40 minutes
• Category: Dessert / Fall Cake
• Method: Baked / Upside-Down Cake
• Cuisine: American