By contributing writer Tessa
This Gluten-Free Upside Down Cranberry Coffee Cake is made with much less sugar than most recipes and of course includes festive and nutritious cranberries. It’s a a fun breakfast cake for any holiday occasion.
Cranberries are not only beautiful, they are a great addition to any diet. They are low in calories, high in fiber and vitamins C and E, and loaded with antioxidants. I have long adored cranberries for their vibrant color and tart flavor.
I perused various recipes, and a popular one had 3 cups of added sugar—-that’s CRAZY! Per my usual style, I have made my gluten free version with MUCH less sugar.
My first run at this cake disappeared in a short afternoon. Everyone loved it! I added the drizzle for a fun color contrast, but it is totally optional.
Gluten Free Upside Down Cranberry Coffee Cake
Ingredients
Cranberry Topping
- 2 generous cups fresh or frozen cranberries
- 4 tablespoons butter any fat will do, but I like the flavor butter provides
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar of choice or to taste, stevia is a great option for adding some additional sweetness if you think it needs it
- 1/4 cup water
Cake
- 6 tablespoons butter or other solid fat softened
- 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup plain allowed yogurt
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/3 brown rice flour
- 1/3 cup rice flour
- 1/3 cup tapioca starch
- 1 teaspoon guar gum
- 1/ 2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Optional Drizzle
- 1 tablespoon cream cheese softened
- 1 tablespoon butter softened
- splash vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- any milk
Instructions
- Preheat at oven to 350 degrees F and grease a 9 inch cake pan well.
- In a small sauce pan, place all the cranberry topping ingredients and bring to boil. Remove from heat immediately and pour into the bottom of the prepared pan. If there are not enough cranberries to cover the bottom completely, you can poke a few more in there.
- In the bowl of a mixer, cream the butter and sugar.
- Beat in the eggs, yogurt, and vanilla.
- With the mixer still running, sprinkle in the guar gum, salt, and baking soda.
- Continue with the flours. If the mixture seems thin, add another 2 tablespoons any flour (I used smallish eggs). Beat on high for 2-3 minutes until pale yellow and fluffy.
- Pour the batter over the cranberries, spreading evenly over the top.
- Bake in a preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until the cake is set in the middle.
- Let cool for 10 - 15 minutes then invert the cake onto a plate for serving.
- For the optional drizzle, whisk the cream cheese, butter, vanilla, and powdered sugar together and add a splash or two of milk until you get a drizzle consistency.
Andrea Wyckoff says
Tessa, this is seriously the most beautiful coffee cake I have ever seen!! Oh my I want a slice!
xx
tessa says
Thanks Andrea..I love how pretty it is too!
Helen says
Looks yummy, I dont have frozen or fresh cranberries, only dried, neither do I have guar gum, still going to make it. Only thing that confuses me is the word coffee in its title ! Is that because of the cakes colour, or because its lovely eaten with a mug of coffee?!?
tessa says
Maybe coffee cake is a familiar American thing Helen, I am not sure…but the term comes from a cake designed to be eaten with your breakfast coffee, yes!!
tessa says
also, you can use 1 tablespoon gelatin instead of the guar gum…you might just want to mix the cranberries into the coffe cake batter rather than do the two layer…dried cranberries are sweetened and do not have the water content of fresh.
amber says
Tessa! Such a gorgeous recipe. I don’t use cranberries in any dishes (except cranberry sauce). Such a lovely, festive dessert.
tessa says
yes, we really love this one, so moist and decadent!
Denise says
Any idea if this freezes well?