This Strawberry Upside Down Cake is a showstopper with its juicy, caramelized strawberries and buttery, tender vanilla cake. Simple to make but visually stunning, it’s perfect for summer parties, Valentine’s Day, or even a special Tuesday night treat. The cake features a golden caramelized strawberry topping, making it the perfect balance of sweetness, richness, and freshness.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Strawberry Topping:

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

• ½ cup granulated sugar

• 3 cups fresh strawberries, sliced

For the Cake:

• 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

• ¾ cup granulated sugar

• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract

• 2 large eggs

• ½ cup + 2 tablespoons milk

Directions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (176°C).

2. Prepare Topping: In a 9-inch cake pan, mix the melted butter with sugar. Spread it evenly across the bottom of the pan. Arrange the strawberry slices over the sugar mixture, starting from the outer edge and working toward the center.

3. Make Cake Batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate large bowl, beat butter, oil, sugar, and vanilla extract until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes). Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.

4. Combine Ingredients: Add half of the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Pour in the milk and stir gently. Fold in the remaining flour mixture until fully incorporated, being careful not to overmix.

5. Bake: Carefully spread the batter over the arranged strawberries. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

6. Cool and Serve: Let the cake cool in the pan for 30 minutes. Run a knife around the edges and invert onto a serving plate. Serve warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, if desired.

Nutrients

• Calories: 250-300 per slice

• Carbohydrates: 45-50g

• Fat: 10-12g

• Protein: 3-4g

• Fiber: 2-3g

This Strawberry Upside Down Cake is a delightful dessert, full of fresh, juicy strawberries and a rich, buttery cake that’s sure to impress!

Why Strawberry Upside Down Cake is a Must-Try

What makes Strawberry Upside Down Cake stand out is its perfect balance of flavors and textures. The strawberries, arranged carefully at the bottom of the pan, become caramelized during baking, creating a rich, syrupy topping that’s both sweet and slightly tart. The buttery, tender vanilla cake layer complements the topping beautifully, providing a light and airy contrast to the caramelized strawberries.

This cake is surprisingly simple to prepare, yet it offers a sophisticated flavor profile that’s sure to wow your guests. It’s a perfect dessert for summer gatherings when fresh strawberries are in season, but it’s also versatile enough to be enjoyed year-round. The visual appeal of the golden strawberries resting atop the cake makes it an ideal dessert for any special occasion or celebration.

The Key Ingredients for Strawberry Upside Down Cake

The beauty of Strawberry Upside Down Cake lies in its simple ingredients that come together to create a deliciously complex dessert. Here’s a breakdown of the essential components:

• Strawberry Topping: The topping is the star of the dish. Melted butter and granulated sugar are mixed together in the cake pan, creating a caramel-like base that infuses the strawberries with sweetness as they bake. The strawberries themselves provide a juicy, fresh contrast to the sweetness, and their natural tartness balances the rich caramelization.

• Cake Batter: The cake is made with all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, butter, vegetable oil, sugar, vanilla extract, eggs, and milk. These ingredients come together to form a soft, fluffy base that complements the strawberries without overwhelming their flavor. The combination of butter and oil in the batter helps keep the cake moist and tender.

• Butter and Oil: Using both butter and vegetable oil in the batter adds richness while maintaining moisture, ensuring that the cake remains soft and airy. The butter adds flavor, while the oil contributes to a lighter texture.

• Fresh Strawberries: Fresh strawberries are key to the recipe. Their natural sweetness and slight acidity help balance the rich, caramelized topping, creating a harmonious dessert that’s both fresh and indulgent.

How to Make Strawberry Upside Down Cake

Making Strawberry Upside Down Cake is straightforward, with just a few simple steps. Here’s how you can create this delicious treat:

1. Prepare the Topping: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (176°C). In a 9-inch cake pan, mix the melted butter with granulated sugar. Spread it evenly across the bottom of the pan. Next, arrange the strawberry slices over the sugar mixture, starting from the outer edge and working your way toward the center. This creates a beautiful pattern and ensures even coverage.

2. Make the Cake Batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate large bowl, beat together the softened butter, vegetable oil, sugar, and vanilla extract until light and fluffy, which should take about 2-3 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition to ensure everything is fully incorporated.

3. Combine Ingredients: Add half of the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Pour in the milk and stir gently. Fold in the remaining flour mixture, being careful not to overmix. This will ensure that the cake remains tender and airy.

4. Assemble and Bake: Carefully spread the cake batter over the arranged strawberries in the pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. The edges of the cake will be golden brown, and the center will be set.

5. Cool and Invert: Once baked, let the cake cool in the pan for 30 minutes. After it has cooled slightly, run a knife around the edges of the cake to loosen it from the pan. Invert the cake onto a serving plate, and carefully remove the pan. The beautiful caramelized strawberry topping will now be on top, ready to be served.

6. Serve and Enjoy: This cake is best served warm, and you can top it with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence. The combination of warm cake and cold toppings creates a delightful contrast that enhances the flavors of the strawberries.

Why Strawberry Upside Down Cake is Perfect for Any Occasion

Strawberry Upside Down Cake is a perfect dessert for nearly any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a summer BBQ, celebrating Valentine’s Day, or simply indulging in a sweet treat on a regular night, this cake delivers both in flavor and presentation. Its vibrant color and the glossy, caramelized topping make it a visually stunning addition to your dessert table.

It’s also a versatile dessert. You can serve it as a standalone treat, or pair it with a variety of toppings like whipped cream, ice cream, or even a drizzle of chocolate sauce for a more decadent version. Because it’s easy to prepare and doesn’t require any special tools or techniques, it’s a great option for beginner bakers or anyone looking for a simple yet impressive dessert.

Tips for Making the Perfect Strawberry Upside Down Cake

• Use Fresh Strawberries: Fresh strawberries are essential for the best flavor and texture. Frozen strawberries can become too watery, which can affect the caramelization process and the overall outcome of the cake.

• Don’t Overmix the Batter: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, be careful not to overmix the batter. Overmixing can cause the cake to become dense, while gently mixing ensures a light, fluffy texture.

• Cool the Cake in the Pan: Allowing the cake to cool in the pan for 30 minutes before inverting ensures that the strawberries don’t slide off and that the cake keeps its shape when flipped.

• Serve Warm for Best Flavor: For the best experience, serve the cake while it’s still warm. This allows the caramelized strawberries to shine, and the cake will have a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Conclusion: Why You Should Make Strawberry Upside Down Cake

Strawberry Upside Down Cake is the perfect balance of sweetness, richness, and freshness. With its juicy, caramelized strawberry topping and buttery, tender vanilla cake, it’s a dessert that will delight both the eyes and the taste buds. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply craving a delicious treat, this cake is sure to impress. It’s easy to make, visually stunning, and packed with flavor, making it the perfect choice for any dessert lover. So, the next time you have fresh strawberries on hand, give this cake a try—it’s guaranteed to become a family favorite!