25 Upside-Down Cakes With a Retro Twist

Bring back a retro fave with these incredible upside-down cakes. They’re by far the easiest way to present a show-stopping dessert with minimal effort.

Most upside-down cake recipes use fruit in the base, which becomes the top when you turn them out.

That makes the cake colorful and gorgeous without the need for frosting or glaze.

From the classic pineapple to a decadent Oreo delight, you’re sure to find one you love!

So, grab your favorite cake plate, and tell your guests to have their phones ready because these upside-down cakes are picture-perfect.

1. Duncan Hines Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Buttery pineapple upside-down cake is probably the most well-known recipe on this list, and it’s loaded with tropical flavor.

There’s not only sliced pineapple on top, but you’ll use pineapple cake mix as well! 

Serve with whipped cream, or serve as is! I love this recipe served warm with a large dollop of whipped cream on top. 

2. Cinnamon Spice Upside Down Apple Cake

Fall flavors are a love language of their own.

And this beautiful apple upside-down cake is perfect for the flannel-wearing, cinnamon-loving guys and gals in the crowd.

Enjoy warm, spiced apples with a wonderfully tender sponge for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.

3. Cranberry Upside-Down Cake

Cranberries are often used around the holidays, but they’re also a surprisingly flexible fruit. 

In fact, they’re the perfect tart berry to add to sweet caramel in this gorgeous upside-down cake. 

As if that combo isn’t delicious enough, it’s then covered in a rich sour cream and orange cake batter. 

Remember to flip the cake while the caramel is still warm, so it doesn’t stick to the pan!

4. Blueberry Upside Down Cake

Sure, blueberry muffins are fine, but have you ever had a blueberry upside-down cake? Yum!

The blueberries will caramelize and soak into the cake batter while baking.

Then, when you flip it over, the whole top will be covered in a thick layer of purple goodness.

This is the perfect cake for summer parties.

5. Strawberry Upside Down Cake

Strawberries are a sweet addition to any dessert and even better in upside-down cakes!

For this recipe, layer crushed strawberries, strawberry jello, marshmallows, and strawberry cake mix. 

It might sound strange, but it’s pink, bright, fruity, and wonderfully sweet.

6. Blackberry Upside Down Cake

Blackberries are my favorite berries for baking. They have such a strong flavor, and they look amazing in pies, cakes, and cupcakes.

Plus, their bold flavor is an excellent complement to sweet cakes.

Once baked, this recipe has the most gorgeous hues of purple and red with deep, baked blackberries contrasting the white cake. 

7. Meyer Lemon Upside-Down Cake

Stop what you’re doing and get ready to make this gorgeous, lemon upside-down cake.

The cake mix in this recipe alone is rich and flavorful with loads of buttery goodness. 

Meanwhile, the sliced Meyer lemons add beautiful citrus notes to the final plating.

8. Plum Upside Down Cake 

Tart plum cake, anyone?

I just love how these individual cakes give off serious brunch vibes. And when you get one each, there’s no fighting over the last crumb!

Serve these with a dollop of whipped cream, and you might want to devour them all.

9. Banana Upside Down Cake

Caramelized bananas are one of my all-time favorite desserts. Sweet, fruity, and covered in a crunchy sugar coating, they go well with everything.

They’re also an excellent way to use those bananas that are sitting in the kitchen.

Think of this like your favorite banana bread recipe – only a million times better!

10. Upside-Down Maple Apple Cake

Call it “cake” if you want, but anything with maple syrup is breakfast in my house.

I mean, it’s got apples, right?

This cake reminds me of apple pancakes, only way fluffier.

I think this would make a terrific centerpiece at your next book club.

11.  Peanut Butter Banana Upside Down Cake

Sure, peanut butter banana toast is a great way to start the day, but why not take it to the next level?

This recipe boasts caramelized bananas and rich peanut butter cake. Go ahead and throw in some dark chocolate chunks if you want, too!

You’ll notice the cake batter is thicker than others in this recipe but trust the process.

12. Amaretto Peach Upside Down Pound Cake

No upside-down cake list would be complete without a peach recipe, and this one takes the cake. 

Dense almond pound cake, and tart, caramelized peaches are a match made in heaven.

The peaches have a high liquid content, so be sure to cool before flipping this cake.

Then watch those juices drip down the sides before serving!

13. Caramelized Apricot Upside Down Cake

Apricot cakes are smooth, tart, delicate, and ideal for summer gatherings.

The fruit is doused in homemade caramel, which gets soaked up by the golden sour cream cake.

The buttery, dense cake cuts like butter, but be warned: easy slicing means second servings!

14. Upside Down Cinnamon Spice Apple Coffee Cake

Who can resist cake for breakfast?

If you love spice cake as much as I do, you’ll adore this upside-down apple coffee cake. 

It uses applesauce to keep the cake nice and moist, and there’s a bunch of warming spices to maximize the flavor.

It’s the perfect partner for a warm cup of coffee!

15. Peach Pecan Upside Down Cake

Sweet, juicy peaches and crunchy, buttery pecans are a partnership unlike any other.

This cake is rustic, sweet, and a fantastic post-dinner treat. And with all that butter, you know it’s moist and delicious!

16. Cherry Upside-Down Cake Recipe

This cake is the definition of “the cherry on top.”

You’ll love the tart caramelized cherries in this recipe, especially when paired with light and buttery vanilla cake.

I like to serve this with a drizzle of almond glaze and a few toasted almond slivers scattered on top for crunch.

17. Banana Chocolate Upside Down Cake

Excuse me while I daydream about this cake. It’s rich, decadent, and impossible to resist.

Caramel-covered bananas and chocolate cake – need I say more?

In ten easy steps, you can have the most delectable chocolate upside-down cake ready to eat. 

Be warned; you will go back for seconds and maybe even thirds.

18. Chocolate Pudding Cake

Okay, lava cake is my weakness. Though I admit, it’s one addiction I’m not sure I’ll ever recover from.

The pudding sauce hides in the rich chocolate cake when you flip this cake upside-down. 

This dessert is best served warm the same day you make it. But, don’t worry; there won’t be leftovers to store!

19. Nectarine Upside-Down Cake

Nectarines are one of my favorite summer fruits. And finding an easy, tasty cake to make with nectarines is like striking gold!

Though it isn’t beautiful before you flip it, once it’s upside-down, it will take your breath away!

20. Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake

Caramel apple anything will always make the cut in my kitchen.

First, make a salted caramel sauce, then arrange the apple slices, and add cake batter. Then, you know the drill.

Bake, flip, and love your new favorite caramel apple upside-down cake.  

21. Orange Vanilla Upside Down Cake

I am confident that upside-down cakes exist to diversify citrus. And I don’t think anything looks as good as caramelized slices or orange.

This recipe brings on campground feelings with warm vanilla and orange notes.

And yes, you’ll eat the peel and all. But don’t worry, it’s soft and sweet once it’s cooked.

22. Chocolate Cherry Upside Down Cake

Everyone knows chocolate and cherries go together like salt and pepper. 

The tartness in the cherries balances the rich chocolate cake and ganache just right, making this indulgent but not overwhelming. 

This is amazing served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

23. Upside-Down Banana Chocolate Chip Cake

This recipe has some serious banana chocolate chip pancake vibes. Dessert for breakfast, anyone?

You’ll layer the bananas in a brown sugar and butter glaze that will ooze over the edges once you flip the cake.

Of course, don’t forget the chocolate!

24. Vegan Blood Orange Upside Down Cake

If you’re looking for a beautiful treat to serve, this recipe has to be in the running!

Blood oranges have a fruitier flavor while also providing a lovely citrus component.

With no eggs or dairy, this is a vegan-friendly dessert that you can serve with confidence. 

Your guests will “ooh” over the beautiful blood oranges, then “ahh” over the depth of flavor.

25. Oreo Upside-Down Sheet Cake

Okay, upside-down fruit cakes are beautiful, but who doesn’t love Oreos?

Chocolate cake, Oreo crumb crust, glaze, and chunks of Oreos on top – this is seriously an Oreo lover’s dream.

This Oreo upside-down cake served warm with a big glass of milk is the perfect way to wrap up any night of the week!