
Dulce de Leche Upside-Down Cake
Prep
20 mins
Cook
35 mins
Servings
6
Difficulty
Easy
This upside down cake is one of my favorite desserts to make because it looks absolutely impressive while being surprisingly simple. The magic happens when dulce de leche caramelizes in the pan, creating this glossy, golden topping that everyone swoons over. What I love most is that the whole thing comes together in just under an hour, making it perfect for unexpected guests or when you need a show stopping dessert fast. Plus, the eggs provide excellent protein and choline for brain health, so you can almost convince yourself it's nutritious. Between the buttery cake, crunchy pecans, and that luscious caramel layer, this one never disappoints.
Ella x
Ingredients
- 250all-purpose flour
- 200granulated sugar
- 150 gunsalted butter
- 4large eggs
- 1 mlvanilla extract
- 100dulce de leche
- 50 mlheavy cream
- 1baking soda
- 1salt
- 100brown sugar
- 50chopped pecans
- 50 gunsalted butter, melted
- 20 gcaramel sauce
- 1cinnamon
Detail level
Instructions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease a 20cm (8 inch) round cake pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
- 2
In a medium saucepan, combine the brown sugar and 50g (1.8 oz) of the unsalted butter. Place the saucepan over medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved.
- 3
Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the sugar mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the mixture turns a deep amber color.
- 4
Remove the saucepan from the heat and slowly pour in the heavy cream, whisking constantly to prevent the mixture from splashing.
- 5
Return the saucepan to medium heat and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture has thickened slightly.
- 6
Stir in the dulce de leche, caramel sauce, and cinnamon.
- 7
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Add the remaining 100g (3.5 oz) of unsalted butter and mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- 8
Add the eggs one at a time, whisking well after each addition. Whisk in the vanilla extract.
- 9
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
- 10
Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top.
- 11
Drizzle the warm dulce de leche mixture over the batter, then sprinkle with chopped pecans.
Tip: This will create a crispy brown sugar crust on top of the cake.
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