Caramel-Date Upside-Down Cake

Caramel-Date Upside-Down Cake
Caramel-Date Upside-Down Cake
Buttermilk and cake flour are the secrets to the incredibly light texture of this sophisticated cake with its gooey caramel topping. It's baked in a cake pan on a baking sheet to prevent the dates from getting tough.
  • Preparing Time: -
  • Total Time: -
  • Served Person: Makes 8 to 10 servings
Cake Mixer Dessert Bake Oscars Date Family Reunion Shower Potluck Butter Buttermilk Bon Appétit Vegetarian Pescatarian Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free Kosher
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • whipped cream
  • 1 3/4 cups cake flour
  • 6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter
  • 2/3 cup buttermilk
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1/4 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
  • Carbohydrate 71 g(24%)
  • Cholesterol 81 mg(27%)
  • Fat 17 g(27%)
  • Fiber 2 g(9%)
  • Protein 4 g(9%)
  • Saturated Fat 11 g(53%)
  • Sodium 306 mg(13%)
  • Calories 446

PreparationFor topping: Preheat oven to 350°F. Place sugar and butter in 9-inch-diameter metal cake pan with 3-inch-high sides. Whisk over medium heat until sugar dissolves, butter melts, and sauce is bubbling thickly, about 3 minutes. Whisk in lemon juice and salt. Remove from heat and cool 5 minutes. Arrange date quarters in 3 concentric circles in caramel, rounded side down, covering completely. For cake: Sift first 4 ingredients into medium bowl. Using electric mixer, beat butter and both sugars in large bowl until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla, then eggs, 1 at a time. Beat in dry ingredients in 3 additions alternately with buttermilk in 2 additions. Spoon batter over topping in pan. Place cake pan on large baking sheet. Bake cake until puffed and golden and tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 50 minutes. Cool cake in pan on rack 15 minutes. Cut around pan sides and invert warm cake onto platter. Carefully lift off pan. Return any dates that stick to pan to top of cake. Scrape any caramel left in pan over cake. Serve cake warm or at room temperature with whipped cream.

PreparationFor topping: Preheat oven to 350°F. Place sugar and butter in 9-inch-diameter metal cake pan with 3-inch-high sides. Whisk over medium heat until sugar dissolves, butter melts, and sauce is bubbling thickly, about 3 minutes. Whisk in lemon juice and salt. Remove from heat and cool 5 minutes. Arrange date quarters in 3 concentric circles in caramel, rounded side down, covering completely. For cake: Sift first 4 ingredients into medium bowl. Using electric mixer, beat butter and both sugars in large bowl until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla, then eggs, 1 at a time. Beat in dry ingredients in 3 additions alternately with buttermilk in 2 additions. Spoon batter over topping in pan. Place cake pan on large baking sheet. Bake cake until puffed and golden and tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 50 minutes. Cool cake in pan on rack 15 minutes. Cut around pan sides and invert warm cake onto platter. Carefully lift off pan. Return any dates that stick to pan to top of cake. Scrape any caramel left in pan over cake. Serve cake warm or at room temperature with whipped cream.