Fall is almost here, so let’s officially declare that it’s Spice Cake season! A steaming hot cup of tea or coffee with a slice of any cake on a crisp fall morning is pure comfort.
I’m upping that feeling by 1000 by combining my obsession with upside down cakes with the simplest spice cake recipe. NO this isn’t that odd pineapple maraschino 70s upside down cake. You know, the one with the canned pineapple rings? An upside down cake is just that. It’s basically a backwards cake. The top layer goes into the pan first (at the bottom). After baking it gets flipped and Voilà!
Why am I so obsessed? Pretty much because upside down cakes are so pretty. Once you dive into it, you’ll find the sweet sort of caramelized combo of the fruit, brown sugar and butter layer , makes the cake so moist . It’s actually heaven.
This will give you all the cozy fall feels. Since I’m talking fall I’ve suggested pears, apples or plums for this recipe but you could do bananas (YUM) , nectarines or anything you like. I added the spices I love, but again you can definitely play with that. If you love ginger, throw it in!
This pretty cake would be lovely addition to brunch for company… if you can resist. Maybe make 2.

Print Pin

Fall Fruit Upside Down Spice Cake

Course Dessert

Cuisine American, Canadian

Keyword apple recipes, fall harvest,, pear, plum, spice cake

Prep Time 10

Bake Time 50

Equipment

Mixer or hand mixer
Loaf pan, 9” round pan or square pan
parchment

Ingredients

3 Apples, pears or plums
1 cup Flour
1 cup Brown sugar
1 teaspoon Baking soda
1/2 teaspoon Baking powder
1 teaspoon Cinnamon
1 teaspoon Ground cardamom
1/4 teaspoon Allspice
Pinch Salt
2 Eggs
1/2 cup Olive oil

Caramel

¼ cup Brown sugar
¼ cup Butter

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Grease pan and line with parchment paper.

Fruit

Wash, slice, pit/seed 2 pieces of fruit. *If you wish you can peel your fruit but this will be the top of your cake and I find the peel adds so much to the presentation. Set aside
Peel and finely dice the remaining fruit. If you are using plums peeling isn’t necessary. For small plums increase to 2.

Spice Cake

Combine all dry ingredients together in a bowl and set aside.
Beat eggs and oil for about 30 seconds. Add the diced fruit and dry ingredients and beat for a minute or so on medium high speed until well combined.

Caramel

Place the butter and brown sugar in a small saucepan. Stir on low heat just until butter is melted and sugar is dissolved. Set aside

Assembly

Lay fruit slices on the bottom of the parchment lined pan. This will be the top of your cake so feel free to get creative and make a nice pattern. Cover the whole bottom overlapping fruit if necessary.
Spread the ‘caramel’ on top of the fruit. Followed by the cake batter.
Place pan on top of a sheet pan then bake45-55 minutes depending on your oven or pan used, until an inserted toothpick come out clean.
Let cake sit for about 5 minutes. Place an inverted plate on top of the pan and flip it over. Gently peel off the parchment and let cool.