Orange-Cranberry Upside-Down Cake Recipe

There’s something about an Orange-Cranberry Upside-Down Cake Recipe that brings a nostalgic feeling to my heart. My coziness meter goes off the charts when you add a cast iron skillet and cranberries!

The pop of tartness from the cranberries and fresh citrus is just the thing to wake up those tired winter taste buds. Why do you think everyone is in love with citrus and cranberries during the long winter months? I think it’s because we’re starved for flavor and bright color as we look out at our gardens sleeping under a blanket of snow just waiting for spring, but these fruits make it just a little bit easier.

Fresh citrus peeled and ready to go!

Can you freeze Cranberries for baking and cooking later?

Yes! I love buying cranberries when they are on sale during the holidays and loading up my freezer for future use. They freeze well and keep their quality for 8-12 months but remain safe indefinitely if kept frozen at zero Fahrenheit.

How can you tell if cranberries are good?

A fresh cranberry has a deep red color that is shiny and plump. They are firm to the touch and will bounce when you drop them.

Ready to be assembled.

Orange-Cranberry Upside-Down Cake Recipe

The pop of tartness from the cranberries and fresh citrus is just the thing to wake up those tired winter taste buds. And using a cast iron pan gives it that extra golden crust.

Servings 8

Ingredients

8- 10 oz Cranberries
1 -2 whole Oranges
1 tbsp Corn Starch
1/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup Butter
1 -1/2 cups Flour
1 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup Butter Softened
3/4 cup Sugar
2 Eggs
1/2 cup Milk
1 orange for the zest

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Add the 1/3 cup of butter in a medium to large-sized cast-iron skillet and place in the preheating oven for five minutes or until melted. Take it out and add the 1/4 cup of sugar and 1 tablespoon of corn starch whisk until semi-dissolved.
Add the fresh cranberries and oranges and spread them evenly, you may want to add a few more than called for, make sure the bottom of the skillet is packed full as they will shrink with baking.
In a medium-sized mixing bowl combine the butter and sugar, beating until fluffy. Add the eggs and beat until blended. Add the zest from one orange. Now add half of the flour mixture and half of the milk, mix well, and then add the rest of the flour and milk, mixing until smooth. Pour the cake batter over the fresh cranberries/sugar mixture, smooth the top until even. You may want to place the skillet on a rimmed baking sheet as the fruit will sometimes bubble out. Bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes or until a skewer or knife inserted comes out clean.
Let cool for 2 minutes on a wire rack or until the fruit is no longer bubbling. Run a knife around the edges of the cake, to make sure nothing sticks when you flip it. Now carefully place a cake plate on top of your skillet and quickly flip the pan so that the cake ends up on the cake plate. Be careful! Everything is still hot but if any pieces of fruit are stuck in the pan be sure and scrape them up and put them back on the cake.
Let cool. You can give it a sprinkle of powdered sugar or top with some whipped cream.
* You have to flip the cake while it’s hot or else it will cool and stick to the pan, so don’t be tempted to wait!

Cranberry upsidedown cake from my cookbook

Let’s talk about this Orange-Cranberry Upside-Down Cake Recipe.

My original recipe for this upside-down cake (in my cookbook Cozy Christmas Baking) didn’t have the fresh citrus; I just added that and the corn starch to thicken up the juices. You can make this with cranberries and add a little orange zest into the batter if you like. You can purchase my cookbook here.

Orange-Cranberry Upside-Down Cake Recipe

New Cozy Video with me baking Orange-Cranberry Upside-Down Cake Recipe

Today I will add our cozy video, where I will take you all on an Antique store tour, thrift shopping, and back home to decorate and bake this Orange-Cranberry Upside-Down Cake Recipe. So I hope you take the time to enjoy this slow-living video.

So in the mood of having a cozy winter’s afternoon, here are some more cozy recipes you should try!

Whole Wheat Chocolate Cookies,

Coconut Cream Pie,

Enchilada Sauce Recipe

Old Fashioned Bread Pudding