Fresh Cranberry Upside-Down Cake

4.6
(5)

This festive cranberry upside-down cake features a luscious layer of tart, fresh cranberries caramelized with brown sugar, creating a gorgeous, ruby-red topping.

Prep Time:
20 mins
Cook Time:
1 hr
Additional Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 40 mins
Servings:
8
Yield:
1 (9-inch) cake
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 8 servings

Top Layer:

  • ¾ cup firmly packed brown sugar

  • ¼ cup unsalted butter

  • ¾ pound fresh cranberries

Cake:

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

  • 2 teaspoons baking powder

  • ¼ teaspoon salt

  • 1 cup white sugar

  • ½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature

  • 2 large eggs, separated

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • ½ cup milk

  • teaspoon cream of tartar

For the Whipped Cream (Optional):

  • 1 cup heavy cream

  • ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan.

  2. Place brown sugar and butter into the prepared pan and place the pan over medium heat. Heat, stirring occasionally, until butter melts and sugar dissolves, 3 to 5 minutes. Scatter cranberries over butter-sugar mixture. Set aside.

  3. Mix flour, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl.

  4. Beat white sugar and butter together in another bowl using an electric mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add egg yolks, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla extract and mix well. Fold in flour mixture in 3 additions using a silicone or rubber spatula, alternating with milk.

  5. Beat egg whites in another bowl using a whisk or an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Add cream of tartar and continue to beat until stiff peaks form. Fold whites into batter using a spatula. Spoon batter over cranberries in the pan, spreading evenly.

  6. Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick or skewer inserted into center of cake comes out clean, 55 to 60 minutes. Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let cool for 15 minutes. Run a knife around the edges of the pan to loosen cake. Invert onto a serving plate, let stand for 5 minutes, then remove pan.

  7. Whip heavy cream in a bowl using a whisk or an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Stir in confectioners' sugar and vanilla extract.

  8. Cut cooled cake into wedges and top with whipped cream.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

565 Calories
30g Fat
71g Carbs
5g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 8
Calories 565
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 30g 38%
Saturated Fat 18g 92%
Cholesterol 129mg 43%
Sodium 237mg 10%
Total Carbohydrate 71g 26%
Dietary Fiber 3g 9%
Total Sugars 49g
Protein 5g 11%
Vitamin C 6mg 7%
Calcium 140mg 11%
Iron 2mg 9%
Potassium 163mg 3%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.