Cranberry Upside-Down Cake

by

A stunning holiday cake with caramelized cranberries

Turn your holiday dessert table into something unforgettable with this Cranberry Upside-Down Cake! 🎂✨ Sweet-tart cranberries are caramelized in a buttery brown sugar glaze, then baked beneath a tender, golden vanilla cake. Once flipped, the cranberries glisten like jewels, making this cake as beautiful as it is delicious. It’s the perfect blend of tangy and sweet, with just the right touch of elegance for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any winter gathering. Best of all, this cake looks impressive but is surprisingly easy to make, giving you gourmet flair without the fuss. Slice, serve, and watch it disappear! 🍒🍰

Time Breakdown

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Servings: 8–10

Ingredients List

For the Cranberry Topping:

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 ½ cups fresh or frozen cranberries

For the Cake Batter:

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup whole milk
  • Zest of 1 orange (optional, for brightness)

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.

  • 9-inch round cake pan (or springform pan)
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Electric mixer (optional)
  • Measuring cups & spoons
  • Rubber spatula
  • Cooling rack

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch cake pan and set aside.
  2. Make cranberry topping: In a saucepan, melt butter and brown sugar over medium heat until smooth. Pour mixture into cake pan, then scatter cranberries evenly over the top. 🍒
  3. Mix dry ingredients: In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.
  4. Cream butter & sugar: In a large bowl, beat softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla, mixing until smooth.
  5. Make batter: Add dry mixture to the butter mixture in thirds, alternating with milk, mixing gently until combined. Stir in orange zest if using.
  6. Assemble: Pour cake batter over cranberries, smoothing the top.
  7. Bake: Place pan in oven and bake 40–45 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  8. Flip & cool: Let cake cool for 10 minutes, then invert onto a serving plate. Let cranberries set before slicing. ✨
  9. Serve: Enjoy warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. 🍨

Pro Tips

  • Use Fresh Cranberries: They hold their shape best, but frozen works too (no thawing needed).
  • Orange Twist: Orange zest in the batter makes the flavor pop. 🍊
  • Make Ahead: Bake a day in advance, cover tightly, and reheat gently before serving.
  • Serving Idea: Add a dollop of mascarpone or spiced whipped cream for a gourmet finish.

Nutrition Table

Serving SizeCaloriesProteinCarbsFatFiberSugar
1 slice3204g45g14g2g30g