A couple of weeks ago, I introduced you to Pam Anderson (no, not that one) and her new cookbook, Perfect One-Dish Dinners: All You Need for Easy Get-Togethers. I followed her Spicy Coconut Shrimp Stew recipe to a T and it quickly became one of our favorite dishes for both weeknight meals and entertaining. When I was at the BlogHer Food conference in San Francisco last weekend, I had a chance to meet Pam and her daughter, Maggy (her other daughter, Sharon, was also there but we never met). Not only is this a group of very talented women, but they are kind and genuine to the core. At one of the BlogHer parties, I received a copy of Pam’s book and, since I already have a copy in my kitchen, I am giving this beautiful book, filled with accessible recipes, to one of you. (See below for more details.)
This recipe is a spin-off of Pam’s Pineapple Upside-Down Biscuits. One of my boys is not a big pineapple fan, so I replaced it with Gala apples and toss in some nutmeg, cinnamon, and lemon juice to make up for the acidity and flavor of the missing pineapple. The apples are laid over top of a layer of brown sugar and butter – that speaks for itself. The apples are then covered with light buttermilk biscuits, baked to a golden brown, and flipped out onto a serving platter for an oozing, caramel-filled presentation. Topped with ice cream, which slowly melts over the warm biscuits, this dessert is simply irresistible.
In a small saucepan, combine butter and brown sugar. Cook, stirring, until a spreadable mixture forms. Spread the mixture on the bottom of a 9-inch round cake pan.
Heat butter in a large skillet set over medium heat. Add sliced apples, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples are tender and starting to caramelize. Remove from the heat and stir in fresh lemon juice. Arrange the apples in the cake pan, on top of the brown sugar mixture.
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, and salt. Grate in frozen butter and immediately rub the butter into the flour mixture with your fingertips. Once the mixture resembles a coarse meal, toss in the buttermilk with a fork until combined. Sprinkle very small amounts of buttermilk on any dry areas and toss again with the fork.
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Using your figures, pinch the dough into 10 round biscuits. Arrange on top of the apples.
Bake until the biscuits are golden brown, about 30 minutes.
Immediately invert onto serving platter. Using a spoon, serve immediately. Top each serving with a scoop of ice cream.
Other apple desserts:
Cookin’ Canuck’s Apple & Cheddar Cheese Turnovers with Dried Cranberries & Hazelnuts
The Pioneer Woman’s Apple Dumplings
The Kitchn’s Sticky Spiked Double-Apple Cake with a Brown Sugar-Brandy Sauce
Ezra Pound Cake’s Southern Comfort Caramel Apple Pie
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 large Gala apples about 12 oz., cut in half, cored & thinly sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter frozen
- 1 cup cold buttermilk plus a few extra teaspoons if necessary
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine butter and brown sugar. Cook, stirring, until a spreadable mixture forms. Spread the mixture on the bottom of a 9-inch round cake pan.
- Heat butter in a large skillet set over medium heat. Add sliced apples, cinnamon and nutmeg. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples are tender and starting to caramelize. Remove from the heat and stir in fresh lemon juice. Arrange the apples in the cake pan, on top of the brown sugar mixture.
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, and salt. Grate in frozen butter and immediately rub the butter into the flour mixture with your fingertips. Once the mixture resembles a coarse meal, toss in the buttermilk with a fork until combined. Sprinkle very small amounts of buttermilk on any dry areas and toss again with the fork.
- Turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Using your figures, pinch the dough into 10 round biscuits. Arrange on top of the apples.
- Bake until the biscuits are golden brown, about 30 minutes. Immediately invert onto serving platter. Using a spoon, serve immediately. Top each serving with a scoop of ice cream.
Notes
Nutrition
Disclosure: This book was given to me at no charge. All opinions are my own. This post contains links to my Amazon affiliate page. Any revenue made from sales through these links helps to support this blog. Thank you!
Sara
This sounds so delish! I am putting it on my must bake list!
Lindsey @ Hot Polka Dot
Awesome idea! I honestly prefer your apple version to a pineapple one. Love the frozen butter method too. I'm crossing my fingers for the cookbook!
Kat
What a great looking recipe! Love the grated frozen butter idea.
Becky at VintageMixer
yum! that is all I have to say.
Oh and apples are on sale at the Sunflower Market so I will be making this very soon!
Kathy - Panini Happy
Those biscuits look amazing. I've been hearing so many great this about this cookbook, I'd love to win a copy. It was lovely to meet you last weekend, Dara!
DoughGirl
Ohh yumm! I am in total apple baking mode so this is right up my alley!
Tia
i like your new banner/layout! i also hope i win the book 😉
Jenny Sunshine
So simple and so good…. my mouth is watering right now!
Chris
those look amazing! I know what I'm going to do with the last of the apples from my trees.
Holly B. Reedy
Yummmm…I'm going to make this this weekend!
Pegasuslegend
one of our fav's I make this often yours looks wonderful and the kids got to love this its my boys favorite!
warmvanillasugar
Great recipe! These look amazing!
MarineWife02
Looks yummy!
Corinne
Ive been baking every weekend since the arrival of Fall and just this morning I was trying to think of something I would try this weekend – I just found it! 🙂
EJacks
This looks delicious!
Belinda @zomppa
Turn me upside down for this!
ravienomnoms
Oh my, that is just so beautiful! The first picture looks like it should be in a magazine, gorgeous!
Jan
This sounds like a terrific dessert. Love the apples and would probably love pears or plums too.
Angelique
looks so good as if I could smell it through the computer screen.
Maria
I love Pam's new book. I love that you used apples. Great fall recipe!
Mother Rimmy
What a perfect dish to use up the season's fresh apples! Sounds like you had a great time at the conference. 🙂
Cathy B. @ Brightbakes
wow…this looks like "autumn-in-a-bowl"…serious yum!
love,
Cathy B. @ brightbakes
p.s.when I grow up i want my food photos to look as good as yours 🙂
Christine S
I love apples…especially in the fall. I can't wait to try this upside down biscuit recipe. Combining two of my favourites.
Kristen
I already have the book, so you don't need to put me in the giveaway, but I had to comment on how gorgeous these look. Your photos are breathtaking!
Heather
Oh my! These sound heavenly Dara! And perfect for a autumn breakfast. I have heard great things about Pam's cookbook. Thanks for the chance to win it. So exciting!
It was really great meeting you last weekend. I enjoyed talking to you on Saturday morning during breakfast. I just wish we had more time. Hopefully we will get the chance to talk again soon.
Jane
What an excellent idea. I love both apple desserts and biscuits (hot out of the oven) but would have never thought about combining them.
Rhia
Yum, that looks so good! The buscuits look so yummy 🙂
amber
oh my. that looks AMAZING!! i'd love to win the cookbook!!
Barbara l Vino Luci Style
Just when I thought I had made enough fall desserts with apple, I spy one more. Nothing quite like the combination of apple, brown sugar and a crusty sweet dough, in any derivation!
Barbara l Vino Luci Style
Just when I thought I had made enough fall desserts with apple, I spy one more. Nothing quite like the combination of apple, brown sugar and a crusty sweet dough, in any derivation!
Jenny
Looks so beautiful! I am making one of Pam's recipes very soon too 🙂
[email protected]
I love those gals and would love a copy of the book. I'm not a huge fan of pineapple when it's cooked either, so I love that you've provided an alternative.
JudyR
What a great, easy recipe – thanks!
I will be making it this weekend.
Alicia
I can't imagine this WITHOUT apple…my oh my how I love desserts with apple in them (or rather, anything with apple in them). The honeycrisps in Ontario right now could feed a small family they are so large (yet surprisingly still delicious!)
Emily Malloy
Gorgeous! I mean, absolutely gorgeous.
Carol Egbert
Inspired twist on upside down pineapple things.
Tracy
This looks incredible! I love Pam's new book!!
abby mumford
i agree with your son. down with pineapple! which means i am SUPER glad to see this recipe with something so delicious as apples.
with each recipe i read of yours, it nudges me closer and closer to the kitchen. this one might get me to turn the oven on. 🙂
Jen Ben
Ok, so beside the fact that this dessert looks yum-0, any cookbook with "one-dish" and "easy" in the title is a book for me. With 2 young children and a hectic household, I'm desperate for "easy"…and not just a cookbook listing 10 different ways to serve chicken fingers and ketchup!
Donna
Just found your blog a few days ago.Made the smoky black bean and corn vegetarian chili – awesome!!
Yeni
Wow, this looks amazing. It's probably something to share with others as quickly as possible (before I eat it all)!
Danielle
Oh my gosh! This looks fantastic. It's one of those things that makes me think, "why didn't I think of that?!" Yum!!
bellini valli
This is such a seasonal treat. Love the biscuits and apples together!
alice
This looks amazing Dara!
Evan @swEEts
If you could send me a whipped up version of this tonight that would be fabulous 🙂
Jessica
This looks delicious! Love the photos! I'm drooling 🙂
Magic of Spice
Absolutely delightful!
Bonpierce
Oh yea, you and me, this weekend! Yum
laura @ a little barefoot
this looks magnificent! i am totally addicted to apples right now and this is a great excuse to get more!
Fromagette
This looks WAY easier than the upsidedown apple cake I plan for this weekend…love that the biscuits aren't cooked separately as I initially thought…YUM.
Anonymous
i just love fruity desserts! 🙂
Imwaytoobusy
These look amazing! I am a sucker for any recipe that contains apples 🙂
Chris
Mmm, I love apple desserts! This looks fantastic.
burntapple
Delicious! Thanks for sharing!!
Liz
I picked 20 lbs. of apples last weekend and have been in search of a new recipe; can't wait to try this!
bunkycooks
I am trying to ease into the apple recipes for Fall. This is certainly a great way to do that.
d
Can't wait to try this. Think I might try with a new Ginger apple I found this year.
Shauna
Yum! Anything with apples makes me want to bake up a storm.
suburban prep
My favorite Fall Fruit.
Love going apple picking and making all sorts of goodies.
Thanks for the recipe.
Our Family Eats
This sounds great! I've bookmarked it for later. I've heard so many great things about Pam's book – I will have to put it on my list too!
Monet
How beautiful! I adore baked apple desserts, and between your pictures and your description, this sounds out of this world! Thank you for the kind words on my blog…your thoughts are so appreciated!
Margie
Yum, can't wait to try this!
[email protected]
marla {family fresh cooking}
Of course this upside down apple biscuit dessert is delish! Love that you give it a flip to get it out of the pan. I would be licking the pan & eating the biscuits all at the same time. GORGEOUS photo on the top!
ladyjoust
I'm a big fan of apple desserts. These look utterly scrumptious!
ceecee
Lovely – definitely on the dessert menu soon!
Kim
Looks like i am going to be a busy lady this weekend… this is a must make! beautiful photo also!
Fayanne
Now I just need to get some vanilla ice cream! I love apples and cinnamon, and I know my boys would love this, too.
Julie
This dessert looks delicious! I always enjoy your blog… I'm planning to try your recipe for spaghetti squash with chipotle chiles tonight.
Tricia
I love anything apple….thanks for the blog.
Tereva
This is just what I was looking for…a delightfully different breakfast dish containing apples. Thanks!
sallytomato
I've just stumbled onto your blog looking up a crockpot applesauce.
This cookbook sounds fabulous!
Liz Sullivan
This looks delicious! I'd love to wake up on a cool fall morning and have this for breakfast!!
GreenGirl
What a great recipe. I'm not a big fan of pineapple upside down cake either. I picked some apples today from the farm and as soon as I have some free time I'll make it. Thanks for sharing
Susan
This recipe sounds and LOOKS delicious. Like your child, both of my sons would prefer apple. I saved the printable version and I am seriously considering this as tomorrow's Sunday brunch… And I just happen to have a nice bag of organic apples!!
Thank you for the opportunity to win the book. Seriously, who doesn't LOVE cookbooks?
Trish
Nothing says fall like warm apple desserts with a scoop of ice cream… true comfort.
Drick
such a great recipe and like most, prefer the apples too – like grating the frozen butter, have not thought of that one
Kelsey
I do like pineapple but the apple makes it seem very fall!
Anonymous
Looks wonderful!
Thanks for sharing!
Maureen
Pam
OMG!….those biscuits….wish I had a spoon!
Nice giveaway!
Terri.
This looks so good! I love apples.
Kathryn
Looks Good!
Gail
Love to win
S Hertel
Just found your website. Love it!
Diane :)
My husband loves apples. I can't wait to make this for him.
Thanks!
Diane :)
My husband loves apples. I can't wait to make this for him.
Thanks!
Becca G.
I'm so hungry now!
Kelsey
Yummm, looks tasty =)
I love apple desserts!!
Keri
What a great recipe!! I just love anything with apples. I can't wait to try this.
Joe
Love to win for my wife
Mary W
Sounds delicious! Can't wait to try it!
Nicole W
I just found your site and from one Canuck to another, I absolutely love it! I can't wait to make these biscuits with apples from our tree!
Michelle @ Brown Eyed Baker
Swoooooon. This looks amazing! I love comforting apple desserts, this one is perfect!
Misty
This looks delicious! Beautiful pictures too.
Stephanie
Wow, those look amazing. I've skimmed by so many dessert recipes calling for apple lately, a huge reason why I love fall – so many great foods! Wasn't so sure on the idea of apples and biscuits, until I saw these photos. Yum!
Meg
A. Your rendition looks absolutely delish!
B. Thanks for hosting this giveaway! Here's hopin'… =)
Lana @ Never Enough Thyme
How appropriate for the season! It's definitely apple picking time in north Georgia and seems like every little town has an apple festival going on next weekend. Very interesting combination of the biscuit topping with apples. I'll most definitely be trying this in my own kitchen soon.
Laken
This looks delicious!
RamblingTart
I love this beautifully homey dessert. That caramelized sauce on the bottom is dreamy! 🙂
Katie
Im usually not a fruit dessert lover, but I have to admit, this looks good!
slush
I love anything apple. So does my hubs. Apple desserts are his fav.
Gina
Upside down anything sounds like a fun time in the kitchen with my kids. Thanks for sharing the recipe…and the great giveaway!
Lori
Just found your blog! Would love to win the cookbook for my daughter ~ she LOVES to cook! Thanks!
Greg Patent
Definitely going to make this with apples we just picked from our Macintosh tree. Firm and juicy.
Jill
I knew I needed to buy more apples for a reason! Looks delish!
Chelle
That's a great recipe for fall!
danasfoodforthought
These look so amazing… I'd love to try them hot out of the oven with some melty vanilla ice cream 🙂
Raakhee
apple season here i come with biscuits and apples yum yum yum.
SolDucky
That looks amazing!!
Momma McCall
Congrats on being featured by PBS. I love your blog and was happy to follow the facebook link right back to you!
SteamyKitchen
lovelovelove the photos!!!! Just wanna say "Hi!" and that you're doing just such fab job on the blog! xo
Stefani
Loving the apple recipes for Fall. Bookmarking this to make later this week 🙂
Ann
This looks like a recipe my mom made when I was a little girl. I’ve been looking for a recipe ever since. It is sooooo good.
Brenda
I love her cookbooks. Would love to have this one. Her recipes are usually
so practical, easy and delicious. Will definitely try the recipe above using
apples but will probably double the amount of apples.