Guys, it’s been a long week. The stress of the most recent Israel-Gaza conflict, which went on for eight loud days and sleepless days, was starting to get to me. The uncertainty – and intractability – of the situation was exhausting. But as of Wednesday night, just in time for Thanksgiving, they reached a ceasefire. For that I am beyond thankful. And while I probably won’t have any Thanksgiving leftovers to eat, I came up with this delicious cranberry sauce upside down cake for those of you who will have a few extra cans lying around.
This year, like every year, I have much to be thankful for. At the moment, though, it feels particularly poignant. I’m thankful, if a bit weary, of the current peace between Israel and Gaza and hope that a more long-term solution can be devised. I’m thankful for a break from the wailing of the air raid sirens in Israel, and an end to the current round of destruction in Gaza. I’m thankful for my husband, who I love more than anything in the world. I’m thankful for my family who managed to keep their cool over the last week despite the fact that their daughter was in a war zone, and for my in-laws who have always loved me like their own. I’m thankful to all the people across Israel – both good friends and mere acquaintances – who offered their homes should we want to escape the persistent rocket fire in the south. I’m thankful for our health and safety – and I mean that in a very real way. I’m thankful for my friends, who are just about the most impressive, strong, incredible, supportive women you could imagine.
But enough about all of that. Back to our regularly scheduled programming. I hope everyone had an amazing Thanksgiving, and is busy chowing down on Thanksgiving leftovers that are even better the next day. Let’s be honest – Thanksgiving is great, but it’s those leftovers that keep on giving. This cake is delicious for dessert, afternoon tea, or, yes, even breakfast. Make it with leftover cranberry sauce, whether fresh or canned.
- 1½ cups sugar, divided
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1½ cups whole berry cranberry sauce (homemade or from a 14-oz can)
- 4 eggs
- 2 cups flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- Pinch of salt
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Grease a 9½-inch round springform pan on all sides.
- Combine ½ cup sugar and the cinnamon in a small bowl and sprinkle over the bottom of the greased pan, tapping on the counter to distribute it.
- Carefully pour the cranberry sauce over the sugar, pressing it down and making sure it covers the entire bottom.
- In a large mixing bowl whisk together the eggs and remaining 1 cup sugar until well combined.
- Add the flour, baking powder, vegetable oil, vanilla and salt and mix well.
- Pour over the cranberry sauce-lined cake pan. Put the cake pan on a rimmed baking sheet and put in the oven. Bake 45 to 50 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes. Invert onto a plate or cake stand, release the sides of the springform pan, and carefully remove the bottom (now at the top). Allow to cool for another 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
If for any reason the blog hop linky isn’t showing up below, click HERE to submit your links and I’ll fix it all later 🙂 Have a great weekend!
I can’t imagine how your family and friends have been feeling – much less how you and your husband have managed! I’m glad everything is calming down, tenuously or not, and hope it holds. xx
I love this, Katherine – such a fantastic way to use up cranberry sauce..especially since there’s always a lot of that left over!
Perfect post Thanksgiving blog hop, Katherine! Your cake looks divine…wish I had some leftover cranberry sauce 🙂
That is so, so scary Katherine. I’m just happy to hear that you are well and in good spirits (I imagine it’s easy to get negative with all of that going on around you). =)
Katherine…could you delete my Turkey Tetrazzini? I see that there are already a couple of others there, so I wanted to add a diff recipe. I apologize for being a pain – I would delete it myself if I could 😉 thx!
Done and done Heather 🙂 You’re not a pain at all – thanks for linking up, and for the words of encouragement!
Happy Thanksgiving, Katherine. Sending good thoughts for peace in your region of the world.
Another great recipe from you, Katherine, and the perfectly themed blog hop! Thank you!!
Sharing your experiences helps everyone understand how truly lucky we are to be safe, warm and well fed. Our thoughts are with you and your beautiful family. May peace reign from now on!
Thankful that you are safe! Beautiful upside down cake!
What a great way to use up leftover cranberry! So glad there is a cease-fire and I am with you Katherine – I am really hoping for a long-term solution. So glad you are safe!
Hi Katherine,
You have mentioned so many wonderful things to be thankful for and to wish for! I am full of gratitude too, and include your friendship among my blessings. I hope that you’re having a wonderful holiday and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this cranberry upside down cake. Cranberries are one of my weaknesses!
Big hugs,
Roz
Thanks for reminding us all how much we have to be grateful for! I was caught up in cooking and baking while you were suffering through those difficult days. I’m so glad that things have calmed down!
This is a fantastic idea for a cake after Thanksgiving or Christmas!
Such a great post. We take so much for granted. The world just gets smaller and smaller and the conflict has been scary to watch. I can’t imagine how scary for you and your family. So glad a cease fire has been reached. God bless you and your family, and the entire region region with a continued desire to resolve problems peacefully.
What a fun idea to top a cake with canned sauce – my husband’s favorite.
I’ve been thinking of you! Hope everything continues to go well. And what a great way to use cranberries! I’d do this not as a leftover, but just because I wanted to make – and eat! – it. Good stuff – thanks.
A beautiful and poignant post as always. I’m so glad you’re okay and things have quieted down. Stay safe! xoxo.
Oh my goodness so glad you are safe! Your cake looks pretty delicious too 🙂
You are really putting holiday stress in perspective! I am following the Israeli/Gaza situation with interest. Wishing for safer, more peaceful days ahead!
I’m thankful for the cease fire, too, and that you are back home safely. What a stressful 8 days…and I am also hopeful that a long-term agreement can be reached. Lots to be thankful for this season and always! And your upside-down cranberry cake has me planning to make another batch of cranberry sauce since ours is all gone. Lovely cake!
Glad to hear you are safe! What a terrible ordeal. Your cake is lovely, too.