Cranberry Upside Down Coffee Cake

Searching for the perfect Christmas morning breakfast that looks super festive and tastes amazing?  Look no further than this Cranberry Upside Down Coffee Cake.  Delicately sweet and tangy it will quickly become a family favorite.

I love a good coffee cake the tender dense cake, almost pound cake like with a variety of toppings from cinnamon streusel, cream cheese and raspberry.  By using cranberries in this coffee cake it provides a subtly tart flavor to the delicious buttery cake scented with lemon zest.  This moist and tender coffee cake is definitely a recipe to keep and it is so super EASY to make.  Did I mention that there is Greek yogurt in it as well to add protein!

Here are some simple tips to follow when making this coffee cake.

1. Use fresh cranberries- it will increase the flavor and will reduce the amount of liquid expelled during baking.
2. Use cake flour- Cake flour yields a cake that has a more tender texture with a fine crumb, and a good rise.
3. Cover the bottom of your spring form pan with foil- This will ensure that any liquid produced from the cranberries during baking does not make a mess of your oven!
4. Use 0% unflavored Greek yogurt- it provides extra protein and does not take away from the flavor of the lemon or cranberry.

If you do not have cake flour, don’t worry and run right out to the store you can easily make it at home with all purpose flour and I will tell you how!

To make cake flour from all-purpose flour, you simply measure one cup of all-purpose flour then remove two tablespoons flour from the cup and add 2 tbsp cornstarch in its place. Sift the flour mixture twice to evenly distribute the cornstarch.  Voila!  Cake Flour!

This coffee cake is so flavorful and simply stunning on your holiday table with its powdered sugar dusting.   You can serve this Cranberry Upside Down Coffee Cake worm or at room temperature it is equally delicious!

Looking for more Holiday Breakfast or Dessert recipes?

Baked Gingerbread Doughnuts

Pumpkin Cinnamon Sugar Muffins

Streusel Apple Pie

Healthy Baked Pears with Honey

 

Ingredients:

• 4 Tbsp unsalted butter room temperature
• 3/4 cup light brown sugar firmly packed
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 1/2 cups cranberries fresh or frozen, at room temperature
• For the cake batter:
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter room temperature
• 2 large eggs room temperature
• 3/4 cup sour cream room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp table salt
• 1 Tbsp lemon zest
• 1 3/4 cups cake flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp baking soda

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Grease the sides and bottom of a 9 inch spring form pan with butter. Line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper or a cake liner and butter the paper as well.

Wrap the bottom of the spring form pan tightly with foil.  This will stop any cranberry juice from leaking all over your oven during cooking.

Put 4 Tbsp butter into the pan, place the pan to the oven and melt the butter, about 3-5 minutes.

In a mixing bowl combine the brown sugar and cinnamon, stir to combine.  Spread the mixture evenly over the bottom of the pan. Distribute the cranberries evenly on top.

Using a stand mixer with the paddle attachment cream the sugar and remaining butter together at high speed until light and fluffy.  About 3-4 minutes.

Add the eggs. Mix on high until combined.

Add the sour cream, vanilla, salt, and lemon zest. Mix on medium until combined.

Sift cake flour, baking powder, and baking soda into the batter and mix on low until combined and no lumps remain. The batter will be thick.

Using a spatula spread the batter evenly over the cranberries in the pan.

Bake for about 50-55 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.

Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 10 minutes.

Carefully remove the outer ring of the springform pan. Invert the cake onto a serving plate and remove the bottom of the pan.

Let cool for at least 15 minutes.

Dust powdered sugar on top for some pretty wintery garnish.

Serve and enjoy!

Pinthis Cranberry Upside Down Coffee Cake to your favorite Holiday or Breakfast Pinterest board to make later!