(Gluten-Free) Nectarine Plum Almond Upside-Down Cake
People will think you are lying when you tell them that this upside down cake contains neither gluten nor any starches or gums, but it is the case.
- Prep time
- 25 min
- Cook time
- 1 hr
- Yield
- 8 servings
- Difficulty
- HARD
Ingredients
Quantities are shown as originally provided.
- 2 ounces unsalted butter ((4 tablespoons, half a stick))
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup brandy
- big pinch salt
- 2 medium nectarines, sliced into eighths
- 2 large plums, sliced into eighths
- 3/4 cup almond paste ((6 3/4 ounces))
- 6 ounces unsalted butter, softened ((1 1/2 sticks, 12 tablespoons))
- 3/4 cup sugar (preferably organic turbinado)
- 4 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon oat flour ((2 1/2 ounces))
- 1/2 cup sticky rice flour ((2 1/2 ounces))
- 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- 1
Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350ºButter a 9" round cake pan and set aside.
- 2
In a medium skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the brown sugar and salt, cook until bubbling, then slowly add the brandy (it will flame up if you add it too quickly). Cook, whisking, until the caramel is bubbling thickly, 2-3 minutes. Pour the hot caramel into the greased pan. When the caramel has cooled (it will still be fairly liquid), arrange the plum and nectarine wedges in concentric circles, nestling them close together. Set aside while you...
- 3
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the almond paste and butter until combined, scraping down the bowl and beater as needed. Add the sugar, and beat on medium until light and fluffy, 3 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, beating until combined after each addition.
- 4
Sift the flours, baking powder and salt into a medium bowl, and add to the cake batter, beating until combined. (Since there is no gluten, you needn't worry about over-mixing the batter.) Scrape down the bowl and beater, give the batter a final fold with a spatula to make sure it is homogenous, then dollop the batter over the fruit and spread smooth.
- 5
Bake until a tester inserted into just the cake comes out clean, about 1 hour. Immediately run a thin knife or small, off set spatula around the edge of the cake to loosen it. Place a large plate upside-down on top of the cake pan, put on your oven mitts, grasp both cake pan and plate firmly, and flip the whole thing over so that the cake is right-side-up. Remove the pan. Spackle any fruit or cake that got left behind back onto the cake. Let the cake cool for at least half an hour. Serve warm or at room temperature.
- 6
The cake is best within the first 2 days of being baked.