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Upside-Down Gratitude Cake

This is a coffee-cake version of the old-fashioned upside-down cake, and is best enjoyed in pajamas with friends and a steaming hot cup of coffee or tea.
Servings: 16

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup butter (for melting)
  • 2 cups light brown sugar If you live in a place without brown sugar, you can mix a little molasses with regular sugar.
  • 3 cups fresh fruit (peaches or apples are delicious)
  • 2/3 cup butter, softened (for mixing)
  • 1 1/3 cup regular sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract In various places around the world, vanilla comes in different forms: small vanilla sugar packets, vanilla beans (beware how strong!), and vanilla liquor. Know the strength of your vanilla and adjust according to taste.
  • 1 1/3 cups milk
  • 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 4 tsp baking powder If you don't have baking powder, you can make your own with a blend of baking soda and cream of tartar or vinegar. 1 tsp baking powder = 1/4 tsp soda + 1/2 tsp cream of tartar or vinegar.
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a deep-sided 10-inch pan or any variation of that size, as long as the sides are deep. I use a long European loaf pan.
  • Sift together the flour, baking powder, salt, and, cinnamon and put aside.
  • In a saucepan or iron skillet over medium heat, combine brown sugar and 1/2 cup butter. Bring to a boil, then pour into the bottom of the baking pan. Sprinkle or arrange the fruit on top.
  • In a large bowl, cream together 2/3 cup softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Beat in the flour mixture alternately with the milk. Pour batter over caramel and fruit in baking pan.
  • Bake in preheated oven for 90 minutes or until a sharp knife inserted into the middle comes out clean. I start checking at about 60 minutes, depending on the depth of the pan I used. Let it cool in the pan for ten minutes then carefully invert onto a serving platter. Be careful of the hot caramel and fruit juices. Best served warm, I guess... it has never lasted long enough for me to try it cold:).