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Rhubarb Upside-Down Cake

Servings:

12

prep time:

35 mins

cook time:

1 hour 0 mins

Total time:

1 hour 35 mins

Ingredients

Directions

Ingredients

  • Vermont Creamery Unsalted Cultured Butter - 82% Butterfat

    ¼ cup at room temperature divided

  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar, divided

  • 4 tablespoon crème fe cassis, divided

  • kosher salt

  • 4 cups fresh or frozen rhubarb, chopped into 1-inch pieces

  • 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract

  • 2 eggs, at room temperature

  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder

  • ½ cup buttermilk, at room temperature

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF / 175ºC. Generously grease a 9-inch/ 23cm springform pan, then line the bottom and sides with greased parchment paper.
  2. In a small saucepan over low heat, combine 1 cup / 55g of the butter, 1/2 cup / 100g of the sugar, 2 Tbsp of the crème de cassis, and a pinch of salt and cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, just until melted.
  3. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan, then arrange the rhubarb over the top and set aside.
  4. In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the remaining 3/4 cup / 165g butter on medium-high speed until creamy and smooth, about 1 minute.
  5. Turn the mixer speed to low, add the remaining 1 cup / 200g sugar and the vanilla to the butter, and mix until incorporated. Then turn the speed to medium-high and mix until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Scrape the bowl often for even incorporation.
  6. Turn the speed to medium-low and add the eggs, one at a time, beating just until combined. Scrape the bowl after each addition.
  7. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and 1/2 tsp salt.
  8. In a liquid measuring cup, stir together the buttermilk and remaining 2 Tbsp crème de cassis.
  9. Add one-third of the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed, just until combined. Add one-half of the buttermilk mixture and mix to incorporate. Repeat with another one-third flour, the remaining liquid, and then finish with the final one-third flour, scraping the bowl and paddle after each addition.
  10. Scrape the batter into the pan, covering the rhubarb, and smooth the top with a spatula. Gently tap the pan on the counter several times to release excess air bubbles. Set the pan on a baking sheet.
  11. Bake until the cake is golden and a tester comes out clean, about 1 hour. Let the cake cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then run a knife around the edge and undo the side of the springform. Invert onto a serving plate, allowing the base to drop with the cake, and gently peel off the base and parchment. Serve the cake slightly warm.

recipe notes:

VARIATION : CRANBERRY-GRAND MARNIER UPSIDE-DOWN CAKE


Around the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, try this cranberry version, which is equally tart and wonderful but has an even more spectacular color. Replace the rhubarb with 4 cups / 400g fresh or frozen cranberries, swap the crème de cassis for Grand Marnier, and proceed as directed.


BAKER'S NOTE: If using rhubarb late in the season, it can have a tough outer layer that will need to be removed with a vegetable peeler.