Upside Down Cranberry Cake is the ultimate fall and winter dessert! This twist on a classic upside down cake features a fluffy, tangy cake and a perfectly balanced homemade cranberry topping. Whether you need a cake for Thanksgiving, Christmas or any gathering this season, this festive cake is great for sharing!
½cupheavy whipping creamplus more to make whipped cream for a topping
¼teaspooncream of tarter
Instructions
Adjust the oven rack to the middle position. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9” round cake pan. Line the bottom with a 9” parchment paper round and then spray with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
Make the Cranberry Topping
In a medium-sized saucepan, melt the butter.
Add the sugar, cranberries and jam. Cook over a medium heat until cranberries begin to soften, approximately 3 minutes.
When softened, pour the cranberries and juice into a fine mesh strainer over a bowl or a large liquid measuring cup. Strain the cranberries from the juice.
When strained, arrange the cranberries into the bottom of the prepared cake pan in a single layer.
Return ½ cup of the cranberry juice to the saucepan, and discard the rest. (Julie only had ½ cup of juice. I had ¾ cup of juice.)
Cook until thickened, approximately 5 minutes.
Once thickened, drizzle the sauce over the cranberries.
Refrigerate while you prepare the cake.
Make the Cake
In a medium-sized bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
Add vanilla and then egg yolks one at a time. Mix until well combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula.
Alternate adding the flour mixture and the heavy cream, beating on low speed just until combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with the rubber spatula again.
In a small mixing bowl, add the egg whites and cream of tarter. Beat with a hand mixer until stiff peaks form.
Gently fold the egg whites into cake batter using the rubber spatula.
When the cake batter is combined, spoon it over the prepared cranberries. Smooth out the top evenly with an offset spatula or a butter knife.
Bake 40 to 50 minutes until top is browned and center springs back. (Mine was closer to 50 minutes, but every oven is different, so please keep an eye on yours.)
Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes.
Run a paring knife around the edge of the pan to loosen the cake from the pan.
Invert the cake onto a serving plate. Remove the parchment paper carefully, and replace any cranberries that fall.
Allow to cool completely before serving with whipped cream!
Notes
Julie adapted this recipe from HyVee Seasons Holiday 2011 issue.