Irresistible Apple Cranberry Upside Down Coffee Cake: Your Ultimate Holiday Delight
Imagine succulent, sweet apples and vibrant, tart cranberries, gently simmered in a rich, buttery caramelized sauce. Now, picture that luscious fruit mixture nestled beneath a tender, warmly spiced coffee cake, each bite infused with the golden caramel. This Apple Cranberry Upside Down Coffee Cake isn’t just a dessert; it’s a festive centerpiece, a cozy breakfast treat, and an absolute must-have for your holiday season gatherings.
Embrace the Flavors of Fall and Holidays
As the air grows crisp and festive lights begin to twinkle, my cravings for comforting, spiced baked goods reach an all-time high. While a classic pound cake always has a place in my freezer for emergencies, sometimes you yearn for something truly special—something light, fluffy, fruity, and brimming with seasonal charm. Whether it’s the anticipation of a tall pumpkin pie or the sheer indulgence of a pecan pie, the desire for a perfect holiday treat can strike at any moment. This year, my heart led me to a delightful fusion: the rich, caramelized goodness of a tarte tatin blended with the comforting simplicity of a coffee cake.
Without pears on hand for my usual tarte tatin, inspiration struck in the form of abundant apples and cranberries. And what a serendipitous improvisation it was! Just like in my beloved Apple Cranberry Crisp, these two vibrant flavors are truly a match made in culinary heaven. The sweet notes of apple perfectly balance the bright tang of cranberries, creating a symphony of taste that embodies the spirit of autumn and winter festivities.
The magic begins on the stovetop, where thinly sliced apples and plump cranberries simmer gently in a decadent caramelized butter-sugar sauce. This slow cooking process allows the fruits to soften beautifully and absorb all the rich, golden flavors. Once perfectly tender, this glossy fruit layer is crowned with a light, fluffy coffee cake batter, infused with warm fall spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. As the cake bakes in the oven, that exquisite caramelized fruit sauce slowly seeps into the tender cake, creating an unbelievably moist and flavorful result. And can we take a moment to appreciate the stunning presentation? The vibrant red cranberries peeking through the golden apples add a touch of holiday glamour that’s simply irresistible.
The Skillet Secret: Crafting the Perfect Upside Down Cake
The secret to this incredible cake lies in its unique preparation method: it starts on the stovetop and finishes in the oven. This means you’ll need a reliable oven-safe skillet to bring this recipe to life. A 10-inch non-stick cast iron or stainless steel skillet works perfectly, ensuring an even cook and an easy release when it’s time for the grand reveal.
Despite its sophisticated appearance, this Apple Cranberry Upside Down Coffee Cake is remarkably simple to make. While your apples and cranberries are caramelizing to perfection on the stovetop, you’ll whip up a quick and easy coffee cake batter. The batter itself is kept wonderfully moist and tender thanks to a special ingredient: Greek yogurt. This addition is key, lending a subtle tang and an incredibly rich texture that complements the sweet and tart fruit beautifully. Do not skip it!
Once the cake is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, it’s time for the most anticipated step: flipping the cake. This moment can feel a little nerve-wracking, but a confident, swift motion is all it takes. Always wear your oven mitts, as the skillet and its contents will still be very hot. Flip the cake away from yourself to prevent any hot juices from dripping onto your skin. The anticipation as you slowly lift the skillet to reveal the beautifully caramelized fruit topping is part of the fun, and the result is always a showstopper. Patience is key here; letting the cake cool for just 5 minutes in the skillet before flipping helps the fruit set and ensures a clean release.
Doesn’t that golden apple layer look incredibly inviting, almost like juicy peaches? The subtle caramelization brings out a depth of flavor that ordinary baked apples simply can’t achieve.
Serving Suggestions and Holiday Appeal
This delightful cake is best enjoyed warm, perhaps with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream, though it’s equally sublime on its own. It’s the perfect accompaniment to a steaming cup of coffee or tea, making it an ideal choice for breakfast or brunch, especially when you have friends or family visiting for the holidays. Its festive look and comforting flavors make it feel elegant yet approachable, simple yet truly special. The vibrant red cranberries provide a beautiful contrast to the golden apples and moist cake, adding a visual pop that screams “holiday!”
Whether you’re hosting a grand holiday feast or simply enjoying a quiet morning with loved ones, this Apple Cranberry Upside Down Coffee Cake is guaranteed to impress. It’s a wonderful way to bring the warmth and cheer of the season into your home. Give this recipe a try; you won’t be disappointed!
Apple Cranberry Upside Down Coffee Cake
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Ingredients
- 2 Honeycrisp apples
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup 70gr light brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- ½ cup 55gr cranberries (fresh or frozen)
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg preferably freshly grated
For coffee cake:
- 1 cup 125gr all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg preferably freshly grated
- 4 tablespoons 60gr unsalted butter, softened
- 1/3 cup 65gr sugar
- 2 large eggs at room temperature
- ½ cup 115gr Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Peel and core the apples. Cut each apple into quarters, then slice each quarter in half to create eight evenly sized pieces per apple.
- In a 10-inch oven-safe, non-stick skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add both the light brown sugar and granulated sugar to the melted butter, stirring constantly until the mixture slightly browns and creates a rich caramel base. Carefully arrange the apple quarters in a single layer in the skillet. Cook the apples uncovered, allowing them to soften and absorb the caramelized butter mixture until it turns a deep, rich brown color, which usually takes about 30 minutes. The apples should be tender.
- While the apples are cooking, prepare the coffee cake batter. In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground nutmeg until thoroughly combined.
- In a large mixing bowl, using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment (or a hand mixer), beat the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, approximately 2 minutes. Add the large eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition and scraping down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is incorporated.
- Gradually add half of the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Stir in the Greek yogurt and mix for about 1 minute until smooth. Add the remaining flour mixture and mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix. Finally, stir in the pure vanilla extract.
- Once the apples are caramelized, remove the skillet from the heat. Sprinkle the cranberries and the ½ teaspoon of cinnamon and ¼ teaspoon of nutmeg evenly over the apples in the skillet. Gently pour the prepared coffee cake batter over the fruit, carefully spreading it to ensure the apples and cranberries are completely covered. Transfer the skillet to your preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to rest in the skillet on a wire rack for 5 minutes. This cooling period helps the caramelized fruit set. Then, place a serving plate or another wire rack over the skillet and, wearing oven mitts, carefully but confidently flip the cake over, away from yourself. Be mindful that hot juice may drip during this process. Cool the cake completely on the wire rack before slicing and serving to ensure the structure is firm and flavors are fully developed.
- Store any leftover cake in an airtight container, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
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This post is sponsored by Anolon Cookware. All opinions are mine alone.