We love the combo of crunchy toasted hazelnuts and fresh figs in this upside-down cake.
| Level: | Easy |
| Total: | 3 hr 5 min |
| Active: | 50 min |
| Yield: | 8 servings |
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, plus more for the pan
- 12 to 16 large fresh figs, halved lengthwise
- 1/2 cup hazelnuts
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 2/3 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter just the sides of a 9-inch round cake pan.
- For the caramel topping: Stir the sugar and 1/3 cup water in a medium saucepan over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Stop stirring, and gently swirl the saucepan occasionally until the mixture is the color of light amber, 6 to 8 minutes. If needed, brush any sugar crystals off the side of the saucepan with a wet pastry brush. Remove the saucepan from the heat, and carefully whisk in the butter (take care: the mixture can bubble up considerably). Pour the caramel into the prepared cake pan, tilting the pan to cover most of the bottom (be careful: the pan will be very hot from the caramel). Arrange the figs, cut-side down, on the caramel.
- For the cake: Spread the hazelnuts out on a baking sheet, and bake until nicely toasted, 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool, then pulse in a food processor until finely ground. Transfer to a large bowl and whisk them together with the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
- Beat the butter and brown sugar with an electric mixer on medium-high speed in a large bowl until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add the eggs 1 at a time, beating to incorporate after each addition and scraping down the side of the bowl as needed, then beat in the vanilla and lemon zest (it’s okay if the batter looks slightly separated and broken). Adjust the mixer speed to low, and add 1/2 the flour mixture, then the sour cream, then the remaining flour mixture.
- Pour the batter over the figs in the cake pan, spread it into an even layer and give the pan a few taps on the counter. Bake the cake until it’s golden brown and pulls away from the edge of the pan and a toothpick or cake tester comes out clean when inserted in the center, 45 to 50 minutes. Run a knife around the edge of the cake to separate it from the pan. Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack until just cool enough to handle, 20 to 30 minutes. Invert a serving platter over the cake pan and, while holding them together, quickly flip them over so the cake unmolds, fig-side up. Let cool completely. Cut into wedges, and serve.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving Size | 1 of 8 servings |
| Calories | 504 |
| Total Fat | 23 g |
| Saturated Fat | 10 g |
| Carbohydrates | 73 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 5 g |
| Sugar | 54 g |
| Protein | 6 g |
| Cholesterol | 89 mg |
| Sodium | 301 mg |
Reviews
This was a very delicious recipe! It wasn’t hard to make and definitely makes a beautiful presentation.
I figure fig newtons are most people’s only experience with figs. I’m in my 40’s and I didn’t even know what a fig tree looked like until I helped a friend pick figs from her tree yesterday. I came home with a few not really knowing what to do with them when I found this recipe. Sounded promising.
The steps were pretty easy even though the sugar never turned a light amber color even after 20! extra minuted of simmering. But I ignored that and finished the recipe.
After letting the cake cool I inverted it onto a plate. When I lifted the pan a few of the figs clung to the pan. I think next time I’ll invert it BEFORE letting it cool so the sugars and figs can melt into the cake. Just a thought.
Regardless of the color of the topping or the clinging figs… This.Is.An.Amazing.Cake!!!! I loved it. I had my first bite while it was still warm. So light and fluffy and sweet and nutty. I am in love with this cake. I’ll probably be offering to help pick figs at my friend’s a LOT in the future.