Imagine a dessert that transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary culinary masterpiece – the Clementine Upside Down Cake is exactly that! This stunning cake combines the sweet, vibrant flavors of fresh clementines with a rich, caramelized base that will make your taste buds dance with delight. Perfect for impressing guests or treating yourself to a luxurious homemade dessert, this recipe is about to become your new favorite way to celebrate the magic of citrus in baking.
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 40 mins
Total Time: 60 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 4 clementines, peeled and sliced
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9-inch round cake pan by greasing it thoroughly.
- In a small saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add brown sugar and stir until it creates a smooth caramel-like mixture.
- Pour the butter and brown sugar mixture into the bottom of the prepared cake pan, spreading it evenly.
- Arrange the peeled and sliced clementines in a decorative pattern on top of the caramel base, covering the entire bottom of the pan.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
- In a separate large mixing bowl, beat the eggs and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Stir in the vanilla extract to the egg mixture.
- Gradually fold the dry flour mixture into the egg mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Carefully pour the cake batter over the arranged clementine slices, spreading it evenly to cover the fruit.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove from the oven and let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes.
- Place a large serving plate over the cake pan and carefully invert the cake, allowing the caramelized clementines to rest on top.
- Let the cake cool completely before serving. Serve at room temperature and enjoy!
Tips
- Choose ripe, juicy clementines for the most intense flavor and best presentation.
- Make sure to grease your cake pan thoroughly to ensure easy removal of the cake.
- When arranging clementine slices, create a beautiful pattern – this will be the top of your cake when inverted.
- Be careful not to overmix the batter, as this can lead to a tough cake texture.
- Use a toothpick or cake tester to check for doneness – it should come out clean when inserted into the center.
- Allow the cake to cool for exactly 10 minutes before inverting to prevent sticking or breaking.
- Serve at room temperature for the best flavor and texture.
- For an extra touch, you can dust the cake with powdered sugar or serve with a dollop of whipped cream.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 48g
Protein: 4g
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Cholesterol: 75mg
