Crazy Crannie Upside Down Cake
Here's a lovely, healthier holiday dessert that can stand in with honors alongside higher caloric treats. For those who just don't want that many Sugar Plum Fairies dancing around the waist band, try this recipe. You can substitute the sugar in this recipe for Splenda or Sugar Twin!
INGREDIENTS
3/4 cup unsalted butter (you can substitute a low-cal, heart healthy substitute like Smart Beat)
3/4 cup light brown sugar (or Sugar Twin Brown Sugar substitute)
3/4 pound cranberries
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsps baking powder
1/4 tsp sea salt
1 cup granulated sugar (or Splenda or Sugar Twin)
2 egg yolks
2 tsps vanilla extract, divided
1/2 cup low fat milk
2 egg whites
1/4 cup cream of tartar
1/4 cup heavy cream (definitely optional)
1 tbsp confectioner's sugar (optional)
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9-by-9 inch cake pan. In a small pan, melt 4 tablespoons of butter and brown sugar. Pour this mixture in the bottom of the cake pan. Place cranberries in the cake pan on top of the melted butter and sugar blend.
Mix together the flour, baking powder and salt. Use a mixing bowl to cream the remaining 1/2 cup butter with sugar (or sugar substitute). Add the egg yolks in one at a time. Beat mixture well after each addition. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla and mix well. Add the milk with the dry ingredients and make sure to fold in well.
Use a small mixing bowl and clean beaters to whip egg whites to soft peaks. Add cream of tartar and continue to beat until peaks hold their shape. Spread batter over the fruit in the cake pan and bake until toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean.
Remove cake from oven and run a small knife around pan edges. Let it sit for 15 minutes. Invert cake onto your serving platter and let it sit another 5 minutes. Then you can remove the cake from the pan.
Sprinkle confectioner's sugar on top of cake when cool.
Optional: Top each serving with Cool Whip or canned whipped cream. If you're really motivated, whip up heavy cream and serve slices with a generous dollop.
