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Cranberry Upside-Down Cake

This Gluten Free Cranberry Upside-Down cake is the perfect combination of sweet and tart. Fresh cranberries are the star of this delicious dessert. Serve it for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any time of the year – your guests will leave satisfied and happy!

Cranberry Upside-Down Cake from What The Fork Food Blog (gluten free and dairy free) | whattheforkfoodblog.com

This post is sponsored by Bridges Produce for Patience Fruit & Co. As always, thank you for supporting brands that support What The Fork Food blog ♥

Gluten Free Cranberry Upside-Down Cake

Cranberries are one of those fruits that seem to have a single, yearly purpose and then they’re forgotten about until next year. Today, I’m here to tell you that cranberries are not a once-a-year food. They’re so much more than cranberry sauce and they’re perfect for so many different recipes. Plus, you can use them year round!

Cranberry Upside-Down Cake from What The Fork Food Blog (gluten free and dairy free) | whattheforkfoodblog.com

I teamed up with Bridges Produce and Patience Fruit &, Co. to bring you this fabulous cranberry upside-down cake today. I met the great people behind Bridges Produce during my trip to Atlanta for PMA’s Fresh Summit. Patience Fruit & Co. produces sustainably grown organic cranberries in Quebec, Canada which are in season late September through late December.

Cranberry Upside-Down Cake from What The Fork Food Blog (gluten free and dairy free) | whattheforkfoodblog.com

 

Fresh cranberries keep really well in the refrigerator and they also freeze really well. You can stock up now and freeze any extra to use the rest of the year, which is exactly what Adam’s grandparents do. Cranberries are great in desserts (like this!) and they’re even delicious with meat other than turkey – like pork! I LOVE cranberries with pork, so wintery and delicious!

 

Cranberry Upside-Down Cake from What The Fork Food Blog (gluten free and dairy free) | whattheforkfoodblog.com

Last year, I shared my slow-cooker cranberry sauce and my cranberry orange bread with you. This year, I’m going beyond the basics and I made a spectacular cranberry dessert: Cranberry Upside-Down Cake. And ohmygerd is it good!

Also, next month I’ll be posting a Cranberry Orange Sangria. Can’t get through the holidays without a drink!

Cranberry Upside-Down Cake from What The Fork Food Blog (gluten free and dairy free) | whattheforkfoodblog.com

 

I adapted the gluten free cranberry upside down cake from my pineapple upside-down cake and let me tell you, that was a really good cake. BUT, I think I like this version more! There’s so much going on here; moist and flavorful yellow cake, sweet caramelized brown sugar glaze, tart cranberries… so, so good! Top it with some vanilla ice cream for an even greater experience! Enjoy!

PS- If you’re looking for more fall classic dessert recipes, you have to try Michelle’s Gluten Free Apple Streusel Pie from My Gluten-Free Kitchen. It’s easy to make and packed full of flavor!

Cranberry Upside-Down Cake from What The Fork Food Blog (gluten free and dairy free) | whattheforkfoodblog.com

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Cranberry Upside-Down Cake from What The Fork Food Blog (gluten free and dairy free) | whattheforkfoodblog.com

Cranberry Upside-Down Cake

4.64 from 11 ratings
This Cranberry Upside-Down cake is the perfect combination of sweet and tart. Fresh cranberries are the star of this delicious dessert. Serve it for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any time of the year – your guests will leave satisfied and happy!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 12
Print Rate Pin

Ingredients

  • 1 3/4 C fresh cranberries
  • 1/4 C vegan butter
  • 1/2 C light brown sugar packed
  • 1 2/3 C gluten free all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 C granulated sugar
  • 3/4 C light brown sugar packed
  • 3/4 tsp xanthan gum
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
  • 1/2 C vegetable oil
  • 1 egg room temperature
  • 1/4 C dairy free vanilla yogurt
  • 3/4 C unsweetened coconut milk from the carton
  • 2 tsp white vinegar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp almond extract

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Melt the 1/4 cup of vegan butter and pour over the bottom of a 9 inch pie plate (preferably a deep dish but regular will work). Sprinkle 1/2 cup of light brown sugar evenly over the butter and top with the fresh cranberries.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, 3/4 C brown sugar, xanthan gum, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, egg, yogurt, milk, vinegar, vanilla, and almond extract. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix well. Pour over the cranberries and spread the batter evenly in the pan.
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 45-55 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean. Mine took 45 minutes in my convection oven.
  • Cool in the pan for 10 minutes then invert onto a cake stand or plate. Serve warm or room temperature. Leftovers can be stored covered at room temperature for several days.

Notes

For a non-dairy free version use regular butter, yogurt, and buttermilk in place of the melted butter, coconut milk, and vinegar. *Use regular all-purpose flour in place of the gluten free flour and omit the xanthan gum for a non-gluten free cake.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1g | Calories: 309kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 14mg | Sodium: 187mg | Potassium: 78mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 200IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 45mg | Iron: 1mg

Disclaimers

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Nutrition Facts are estimated and aren't always accurate. Please consult a doctor or nutritionist if you have special dietary needs.

Did you make this?Mention @whattheforkfoodblog or leave a comment rating below!

 

Other Cranberry Recipes You Might Enjoy:

Cranberry Orange Bread – What The Fork Food Blog

Cranberry Lemon Cake – Gluten Free Blondie

Cranberry, Ginger, and Coconut Bundt Cake – Beard + Bonnet

Gluten-Free Cranberry Lemon Curd Tart with Gingersnap Crust – Cafe Johnsonia

Baked Pears with Honey, Cranberries, and Pecans – Small Green Kitchen

Cranberry Cheesecake – Roxana’s Home Baking

Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

Pineapple Upside-Down Cake from What The Fork Food Blog

Cranberry Upside-Down Cake (gluten free and dairy free) from What The Fork Food Blog | whattheforkfoodblog.com

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Sincerely,
Shay

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Recipe Rating




  1. Kelly says:

    This looks delish! Could you suggest the brand of GF flour you use? I find not all are created equal and in the pics your crumb in the cake looks fabulous. Looking forward to hearing back.

  2. Sara says:

    Curious why you used vegan and dairy free then added an egg?

    • Sharon says:

      Hi Sarah – I use vegan and dairy free products sometimes because they work well for my lactose intolerant daughter. I use eggs because they’re not dairy products and we don’t have any issues with eggs.

  3. Vivian says:

    This is one tasty cake! I made it today to test it out for the holidays. It is a keeper! Thank you again Sharon, for another great recipe!

  4. Lauren Farrell says:

    Sharon, this looks divine! May have to try it next week! Thank you for sharing!

    http://www.laurenfarrellny.com/blog

  5. I love baking with fresh cranberries! This upside down cake is absolutely gorgeous…the perfect holiday dessert!

  6. I love to bake with cranberries! I just bought two bags to make cranberry bread and scones!

  7. This is genius! Anything cranberry and I’m in!

  8. 5 stars
    This is one gorgeous cake, Sharon! And I love using cranberries in holiday baking. And vanilla ice cream would be the bomb. WOW!

  9. I used to make a cranberry upside down cake for the holidays, and your recipe post has just reminded me of how amazing it was! I am definitely adding it back into my holiday recipe planning for this year. ๐Ÿ™‚

  10. I’m always looking for new ways to use cranberries during the holiday season. This looks like a winner!

  11. I love cranberries. We have local farms here in Oregon. I am working on a cranberry brunch coffeecake…great minds think alike…and those cranberries!! SO beautiful Sharon!!

  12. Such a festive looking cake! I love baking with fresh cranberries. So tart and delicious!

  13. I so agree! Cranberries are not just a once-a-year thing, and this cake looks SO good! It would be perfect with with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. ๐Ÿ™‚

  14. Forget the cranberry sauce. I want this cranberry upside down cake at our Thanksgiving dinner! (P.S. I cannot wait for your cranberry orange sangria!)

  15. This looks absolutely divine! So in keeping with the holidays yet bright.

  16. Beautiful cake. I just want to plant my face in it ๐Ÿ™‚

  17. What a beautiful looking cake! I’m obsessed with cranberries this time of the year.

  18. What a perfect dessert for thanksgiving! And so pretty too! It looks to delicious!

  19. This is a great way to use cranberries! I have a bag sitting in my freezer as we speak but I plan to pick up more so I have them all year round ๐Ÿ™‚ There is just something about fresh cranberries that transforms a dish!

  20. I’ve never made any type of upside down cake ๐Ÿ˜› But this is a perfect way to sweeten up tart cranberries!