Thursday, August 26, 2010

Blackberry-Apple Upside Down Cake & Happy Anniversary

Wednesdays.

Who needs them? Certainly I don't. Nothing to look forward to on Wednesdays other than Thursday and Friday.

This Wednesday, however, was different!

Meet Sue and Dick, my awesome roommates (parents). Today is THEIR day! On this day, August 25th, 2010, they have been married for 37 years. Holy cow. That's a lot of togetherness.

My parents are best buds. They are that couple who doesn't often attend other social engagements, although invited, because they are too busy hanging out with one another.

They go on dinner dates every weekend, always.

They go out to breakfast Saturday and Sunday without fail.

Like I said, best buds. And they're still chugging along. So here's to you Mom and Dad. A new cake, showcasing the late summer produce and the perfect compliment to a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream.


It's beautiful too. I don't think I've made something this pretty yet...in my humblest opinion. 

 The vanilla cake is so perfect with the caramelized fruit baked into the bottom of the pan. I gasped when I first saw it.

They deserve it, for sure. And enjoy it, they did. So here's the recipe for one 9-inch cake that serves about 8.

What ya need:


3/4 cup butter, softened and divided
1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup honey
2 large Gala apples, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices
1 cup fresh blackberries (cranberries would work too)
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract


What ya do:
1. Preheat oven to 350°. Melt 1/4 cup butter in a lightly greased 9-inch round cake pan (with sides that are at least 2 inches high) over low heat. Remove from heat. Sprinkle with brown sugar; drizzle honey over brown sugar. Arrange apple slices in concentric circles over brown sugar mixture, overlapping as needed; sprinkle with blackberries.
 2. Beat granulated sugar and remaining 1/2 cup butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating until blended after each addition.
3. Sift together flour and baking powder. Add flour mixture to sugar mixture alternately with milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat at low speed just until blended after each addition. Stir in vanilla. Spoon batter over blackberries in pan.
4. Bake at 350° for 45 to 50 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of cake to loosen. Invert cake onto a serving plate, spooning any topping in pan over cake.


Serve with a scoop of vanilla and you’ve got yourself one mighty fine dessert! Happy Anniversary!



14 comments:

The Davises said...

Thanks much You've made 22 of those years extra special for sure LOL Mom & Dad Davis

P.S. Plus the cake was super delicious too!!!

The Housewife said...

Happy anniversary to your parents! I loved reading about them and would like to wish them many many more years of happiness! The cake looks really amazing...

Monet said...

It is no surprise that you have such amazing parents. It is such an inspiration to read about couples that have been together for so long and are still in love. And the cake? Delicious love!

Anonymous said...

I'm gasping over this cake too! That fruit combination is heavenly...especially carmelized! Congrats to your parents...such a cute tribute to them :)

Suchitra Vaidyaram said...

Looks divine! lovely cake

Anonymous said...

What a pretty cake! Congrats to the rents!

Anonymous said...

Aw congratulations to your parents! That is a great looking cake you made them... looks delish!

Rick said...

Happy anniversary! That must be grateful for a daughter who would bake them a cake.

The cookin cutie said...

I love that you combined blackberries and apples... I never would have thought to combine those two! Also, I see you all went to Artie's :) I live in Centreville and go to Sweetwater all the time... they have AWESOME food! I would love to steal some of their recipes... but for now, I'll steal a few of yours and try them out hah

Unknown said...

Happy anniversary Mom and Dad! I think it's cool that you have such high regard and esteem for them (as it should be). Mine celebrated 52 years this year....it's awesome to have that as a model, eh? Love your cake too. Wow.

Lynn @ I'll Have What She's Having said...

That is a beautiful cake! And it sounds delicious.

Camala - CC Recipe said...

What a beautiful cake for a beautiful occasion, Happy Anniversary to your parents!

Drick said...

wow, this is a masterpiece - and I know was even better tasting than you described it ... can't wait to get to cooking this one...

Megan said...

How gorgeous! And congrats to your parents, that is awesome!