Simply the best apple dessert! These apple upside-down biscuits have a wonderful caramel flavor, along with light buttermilk biscuits.
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.
Apple Upside-Down Biscuits
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¾ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 ½ large Gala apples about 12 oz., cut in half, cored & thinly sliced
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ¼ 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!
Terri.
This looks so good! I love apples.
Pam
OMG!....those biscuits....wish I had a spoon!
Nice giveaway!
Anonymous
Looks wonderful!
Thanks for sharing!
Maureen
Kelsey
I do like pineapple but the apple makes it seem very fall!
Drick
such a great recipe and like most, prefer the apples too - like grating the frozen butter, have not thought of that one
Trish
Nothing says fall like warm apple desserts with a scoop of ice cream... true comfort.
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?
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
Liz Sullivan
This looks delicious! I'd love to wake up on a cool fall morning and have this for breakfast!!
sallytomato
I've just stumbled onto your blog looking up a crockpot applesauce.
This cookbook sounds fabulous!
Tereva
This is just what I was looking for...a delightfully different breakfast dish containing apples. Thanks!
Tricia
I love anything apple....thanks for the blog.
Julie
This dessert looks delicious! I always enjoy your blog... I'm planning to try your recipe for spaghetti squash with chipotle chiles tonight.
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.
Kim
Looks like i am going to be a busy lady this weekend... this is a must make! beautiful photo also!
ceecee
Lovely - definitely on the dessert menu soon!
ladyjoust
I'm a big fan of apple desserts. These look utterly scrumptious!
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!
Margie
Yum, can't wait to try this!
misintx@yahoo.com
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!