Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake

FOR THE APPLE TOPPING

3/4 c. lightly packed brown sugar

1/4 c. butter

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

Pinch kosher salt

2 apples, peeled, cored, and sliced

1 cm thick

FOR THE CAKE

1 3/4 c. all-purpose flour

3/4 tsp. baking powder

2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 tsp. kosher salt

1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg

1/2 c. butter, softened

1 c. sugar

1/2 c. lightly brown sugar

2 large Eggs

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

3/4 c. milk

Preheat oven to 175° and grease a round cake pan. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt brown sugar, butter, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt. Cook until slightly thickened, 2 minutes. Pour caramel sauce into prepared pan and layer apples on top.

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg. In another large bowl, using a hand mixer, beat together butter and sugars until softened. 

Add eggs one at a time, then add vanilla. Add half the dry ingredients to wet ingredients, beating until just combined. Pour in milk and mix until fully incorporated. Add remaining dry ingredients and stir until just combined.

Pour batter over apples and bake until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean, 1 hour. Let cool in pan 15 minutes then invert onto a cooling rack and let cool completely before slicing.