Backyard Citrus Upside Down Cake Recipes

Steps:

• For the topping: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Generously butter a 9-inch round cake pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
• Use a fine grater to zest 1 teaspoon zest from each of the citruses (for a total of 1 tablespoon zest). Reserve the zest for the cake.
• Cut the top and bottom off of each citrus and place them with a flat side on the cutting board. Then, following the curve of the fruit, use a sharp knife to cut off the peels and as much of the white pith as possible. Slice the fruit crosswise into 1/4-inch thick rounds; carefully remove any seeds.
• Combine the butter and sugars in a small saucepan and warm over medium-low heat until melted. Pour into the prepared cake pan and spread evenly. Top with the citrus rounds so that they fit very snugly and are slightly overlapping (you may not use every slice). Drizzle with the orange liqueur, if using.
• For the cake: Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt together in a medium bowl. Put the butter, sugar and reserved zest in another bowl and beat with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Beat in the vanilla. Add the flour mixture in 3 batches, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the flour; mix until just combined.
• Pour the cake batter over the citrus and bake until a wooden pick inserted into the center just comes out clean, 50 to 60 minutes. Run a sharp knife around the edge of the cake and let it cool for 15 minutes, then carefully invert it onto a platter, replacing any citrus that may have stuck to the pan. Serve slightly warm or at room temperature.

Steps:

• Cake: Preheat oven to 350°F. Brush an 8-inch square pan with 2-inch-high sides with butter. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
• In a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter with sugar and zest on medium speed until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla and sour cream, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Reduce speed to low and gradually add flour mixture.
• Topping: With a sharp knife, slice ends off each citrus. Following curve of fruit, cut away peel, removing as much white pith as possible. Slice fruit crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick rounds, and remove any seeds. In a small bowl, stir together butter, sugar, and rum. Spread mixture over bottom of prepared pan. Arrange sliced citrus over it in a snug, slightly overlapping even layer (cut some to fit into corners).
• Spread batter over citrus. Bake until cake is golden and puffed and a tester inserted in center comes out clean, about 55 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack and let cool 30 minutes. Invert onto a cake plate; serve the same day, warm or room temperature.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Generously grease an 8 x 11-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
• Make the orange syrup: Add the butter, sugar, and orange juice to a small saucepan. Whisk to combine, then cook over medium heat until the sugar dissolves, stirring occasionally to prevent burning, 4-5 minutes.
• Pour the orange syrup into the prepared baking dish. Starting from a short side of the baking dish, arrange the blood orange slices vertically, overlapping slightly to fit as many slices as possible (this will help keep the citrus in place during baking). Continue with the cara cara slices, then navel orange slices, then Meyer lemon slices to create an ombré effect.
• Make the cake batter: Add the eggs, sour cream, water, melted butter, orange zest and juice, and vanilla to a large bowl and whisk to combine. Add the cake mix and pudding mix and fold with a rubber spatula to incorporate. Pour the batter into the baking dish, spreading evenly.
• Bake the cake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
• Let the cake cool for 15 minutes, then invert onto a serving platter. Let cool completely before slicing and serving.
• Enjoy!