Upside-Down Apple Bread

Total Time Prep: 25 min. + rising Bake: 25 min.
Yield 2 coffee cakes
Test Kitchen Approved
The only thing more exciting than inverting our upside-down apple bread is savoring every cozy and warming cinnamon-apple bite.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1/2 cup warm water (110° to 115°)
  • 1/3 cup shortening
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 3-1/2 to 4 cups all-purpose flour, divided
  • 1/2 cup warm whole milk (80°-90°)
  • APPLES:
  • 3 medium apples, peeled and sliced
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • Pinch salt
  • ICING:
  • 1/4 cup butter, softened
  • 1-3/4 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons whole milk
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

  1. For bread, dissolve yeast and 1 tablespoon sugar in water. Let stand 5 minutes. In a large bowl, combine shortening, sugar and egg. Gradually mix in 2 cups flour, milk and yeast mixture. Add enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place dough in a greased bowl, turning to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. Punch dough down.
  2. In a large bowl, toss apple slices, sugar, vanilla and salt. Arrange apple slices in a single layer, overlapping to cover, in a well-greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Sprinkle any remaining sugar over top. Press dough over top, pressing out any large air bubbles. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour. Bake at 375° for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Let stand 10 minutes before inverting onto a serving plate. Let cool to room temperature.
  3. In a small bowl, combine the frosting ingredients; beat until smooth. Drizzle over top of cake.

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 292 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 20mg cholesterol, 43mg sodium, 52g carbohydrate (30g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.

The texture of this upside-down apple bread could be described as a cross between sticky buns and coffee cake. The caramelized apples on top make every bite an indulgent sweet treat that's acceptable to eat as breakfast. —Margaret Knoebel, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Recipe Creator

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