Imagine the joy of summer captured in a cake, where juicy strawberries take center stage in a luscious dessert that offers a delightful alternative to the classic strawberry shortcake. This Strawberry Upside Down Cake is a treasured recipe that was shared with us at a U-Pick strawberry patch, and it’s perfect for showcasing the vibrant flavors of fresh berries. The beauty of this cake lies not only in its sweet, fruity topping but also in the moist, buttery cake that lies beneath it.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups fresh strawberries 🍓
- ¾ cup granulated sugar 🧂
- 2 tablespoons dry tapioca 🌾
- 1 tablespoon butter (for dotting) 🧈
- 1 cup butter (softened, for the cake) 🧈
- 1¼ cups granulated sugar 🧂
- ½ teaspoon baking powder 🧂
- 2/3 teaspoon salt 🧂
- 1 egg 🥚
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 🍦
- ½ cup margarine (melted) 🧈
- 1 cup all-purpose flour 🌾
- 1 cup milk 🥛
Instructions:
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Prepare the Fruit Layer: In a 9-inch square cake pan, combine the 4 cups of fresh strawberries, ¾ cup granulated sugar, and 2 tablespoons of dry tapioca. Dot the mixture with 1 tablespoon of butter. Set this aside to allow the flavors to meld together.
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Make the Cake Batter:
- In a large mixing bowl, sift together 1¼ cups granulated sugar, ½ teaspoon baking powder, and 2/3 teaspoon salt.
- Cream together 1 cup softened butter and 1¼ cups granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in 1 egg and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until well combined.
- Gradually add the sifted dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with 1 cup milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
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Assemble and Bake:
- Spoon the cake batter evenly over the prepared fruit mixture in the cake pan.
- Place the cake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the cake is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
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Serve:
- Allow the cake to cool slightly before inverting it onto a serving plate. Serve warm with a dollop of whipped cream, a scoop of ice cream, or a drizzle of cream for a luxurious finish. 🍦🍰
Nutrition Information:
- Total Calories: 2470.7
- Fat Content: 69.9 g
- Saturated Fat: 41.1 g
- Cholesterol: 381.1 mg
- Sodium: 2163.7 mg
- Carbohydrates: 446.9 g
- Fiber: 15.1 g
- Sugar: 311.6 g
- Protein: 27.7 g
This cake not only captures the essence of summer strawberries but also makes for an impressive dessert at any gathering. Its combination of sweet, tangy strawberries with a moist, buttery cake is simply irresistible. Enjoy this delightful twist on a classic dessert, and let the flavors of the season shine through! 🍓✨