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
If you make this recipe, I’d love to see it on Instagram! Just use the hashtag #COOKINCANUCK and I’ll be sure to find it.
Apple Upside-Down Biscuits
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup (packed) brown sugar
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 large Gala apples (about 12 oz.), cut in half, cored & thinly sliced
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter, frozen
- 1 cup cold buttermilk, plus a few extra teaspoons if necessary
Directions
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.
Recipe Notes
Adapted from Perfect One-Dish Dinners by Pam Anderson
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 says
This sounds so delish! I am putting it on my must bake list!
Lindsey @ Hot Polka Dot says
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 says
What a great looking recipe! Love the grated frozen butter idea.
Becky at VintageMixer says
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 says
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 says
Ohh yumm! I am in total apple baking mode so this is right up my alley!
Tia says
i like your new banner/layout! i also hope i win the book 😉
Jenny Sunshine says
So simple and so good…. my mouth is watering right now!
Chris says
those look amazing! I know what I'm going to do with the last of the apples from my trees.
Holly B. Reedy says
Yummmm…I'm going to make this this weekend!
Pegasuslegend says
one of our fav's I make this often yours looks wonderful and the kids got to love this its my boys favorite!
warmvanillasugar says
Great recipe! These look amazing!
MarineWife02 says
Looks yummy!
Corinne says
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 says
This looks delicious!
Belinda @zomppa says
Turn me upside down for this!
ravienomnoms says
Oh my, that is just so beautiful! The first picture looks like it should be in a magazine, gorgeous!
Jan says
This sounds like a terrific dessert. Love the apples and would probably love pears or plums too.
Angelique says
looks so good as if I could smell it through the computer screen.
Maria says
I love Pam's new book. I love that you used apples. Great fall recipe!
Mother Rimmy says
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 says
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 says
I love apples…especially in the fall. I can't wait to try this upside down biscuit recipe. Combining two of my favourites.
Kristen says
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 says
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 says
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 says
Yum, that looks so good! The buscuits look so yummy 🙂
amber says
oh my. that looks AMAZING!! i'd love to win the cookbook!!
Barbara l Vino Luci Style says
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 says
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 says
Looks so beautiful! I am making one of Pam's recipes very soon too 🙂
Anna@londonfoodieny says
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 says
What a great, easy recipe – thanks!
I will be making it this weekend.
Alicia says
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 says
Gorgeous! I mean, absolutely gorgeous.
Carol Egbert says
Inspired twist on upside down pineapple things.
Tracy says
This looks incredible! I love Pam's new book!!
abby mumford says
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 says
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 says
Just found your blog a few days ago.Made the smoky black bean and corn vegetarian chili – awesome!!
Yeni says
Wow, this looks amazing. It's probably something to share with others as quickly as possible (before I eat it all)!
Danielle says
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 says
This is such a seasonal treat. Love the biscuits and apples together!
alice says
This looks amazing Dara!
Evan @swEEts says
If you could send me a whipped up version of this tonight that would be fabulous 🙂
Jessica says
This looks delicious! Love the photos! I'm drooling 🙂
Magic of Spice says
Absolutely delightful!
Bonpierce says
Oh yea, you and me, this weekend! Yum
laura @ a little barefoot says
this looks magnificent! i am totally addicted to apples right now and this is a great excuse to get more!
Fromagette says
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 says
i just love fruity desserts! 🙂
Imwaytoobusy says
These look amazing! I am a sucker for any recipe that contains apples 🙂
Chris says
Mmm, I love apple desserts! This looks fantastic.
burntapple says
Delicious! Thanks for sharing!!
Liz says
I picked 20 lbs. of apples last weekend and have been in search of a new recipe; can't wait to try this!
bunkycooks says
I am trying to ease into the apple recipes for Fall. This is certainly a great way to do that.
d says
Can't wait to try this. Think I might try with a new Ginger apple I found this year.
Shauna says
Yum! Anything with apples makes me want to bake up a storm.
suburban prep says
My favorite Fall Fruit.
Love going apple picking and making all sorts of goodies.
Thanks for the recipe.
Our Family Eats says
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 says
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 says
Yum, can't wait to try this!
misintx@yahoo.com
marla {family fresh cooking} says
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 says
I'm a big fan of apple desserts. These look utterly scrumptious!
ceecee says
Lovely – definitely on the dessert menu soon!
Kim says
Looks like i am going to be a busy lady this weekend… this is a must make! beautiful photo also!
Fayanne says
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 says
This dessert looks delicious! I always enjoy your blog… I'm planning to try your recipe for spaghetti squash with chipotle chiles tonight.
Tricia says
I love anything apple….thanks for the blog.
Tereva says
This is just what I was looking for…a delightfully different breakfast dish containing apples. Thanks!
sallytomato says
I've just stumbled onto your blog looking up a crockpot applesauce.
This cookbook sounds fabulous!
Liz Sullivan says
This looks delicious! I'd love to wake up on a cool fall morning and have this for breakfast!!
GreenGirl says
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 says
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 says
Nothing says fall like warm apple desserts with a scoop of ice cream… true comfort.
Drick says
such a great recipe and like most, prefer the apples too – like grating the frozen butter, have not thought of that one
Kelsey says
I do like pineapple but the apple makes it seem very fall!
Anonymous says
Looks wonderful!
Thanks for sharing!
Maureen
Pam says
OMG!….those biscuits….wish I had a spoon!
Nice giveaway!
Terri. says
This looks so good! I love apples.
Kathryn says
Looks Good!
Gail says
Love to win
S Hertel says
Just found your website. Love it!
Diane :) says
My husband loves apples. I can't wait to make this for him.
Thanks!
Diane :) says
My husband loves apples. I can't wait to make this for him.
Thanks!
Becca G. says
I'm so hungry now!
Kelsey says
Yummm, looks tasty =)
I love apple desserts!!
Keri says
What a great recipe!! I just love anything with apples. I can't wait to try this.
Joe says
Love to win for my wife
Mary W says
Sounds delicious! Can't wait to try it!
Nicole W says
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 says
Swoooooon. This looks amazing! I love comforting apple desserts, this one is perfect!
Misty says
This looks delicious! Beautiful pictures too.
Stephanie says
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 says
A. Your rendition looks absolutely delish!
B. Thanks for hosting this giveaway! Here's hopin'… =)
Lana @ Never Enough Thyme says
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 says
This looks delicious!
RamblingTart says
I love this beautifully homey dessert. That caramelized sauce on the bottom is dreamy! 🙂
Katie says
Im usually not a fruit dessert lover, but I have to admit, this looks good!
slush says
I love anything apple. So does my hubs. Apple desserts are his fav.
Gina says
Upside down anything sounds like a fun time in the kitchen with my kids. Thanks for sharing the recipe…and the great giveaway!
Lori says
Just found your blog! Would love to win the cookbook for my daughter ~ she LOVES to cook! Thanks!
Greg Patent says
Definitely going to make this with apples we just picked from our Macintosh tree. Firm and juicy.
Jill says
I knew I needed to buy more apples for a reason! Looks delish!
Chelle says
That's a great recipe for fall!
danasfoodforthought says
These look so amazing… I'd love to try them hot out of the oven with some melty vanilla ice cream 🙂
Raakhee says
apple season here i come with biscuits and apples yum yum yum.
SolDucky says
That looks amazing!!
Momma McCall says
Congrats on being featured by PBS. I love your blog and was happy to follow the facebook link right back to you!
SteamyKitchen says
lovelovelove the photos!!!! Just wanna say "Hi!" and that you're doing just such fab job on the blog! xo
Stefani says
Loving the apple recipes for Fall. Bookmarking this to make later this week 🙂
Ann says
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 says
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.