Description
This upside-down Rhubarb Cake is baked in a cast iron skillet. It’s gluten-free- and grain free- made with Almond Flour. Deliciously addictive and perfect for Spring.
Ingredients
Units
- 4 cups rhubarb, cut into 1/2-inch cubes ( about 1 1/4 lb) Use red pieces for best presentation.
- 1 1/4 cup sugar -divided (or use half brown sugar)
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- pinch salt
- 4 eggs, separated into 4 egg yolks and 4 egg whites, room temperature
- zest from one lemon
- 1/4 teaspoon cardamon
- 1 1/2 cups finely ground almond flour or meal
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon white or cider vinegar
- Powdered sugar for sprinkling
Instructions
- 375 F Oven
- Over medium heat, melt butter in a 9-inch cast iron skillet and brush the sides with it. Add rhubarb, ¾ C sugar, lemon juice, vanilla and pinch salt and stir for 2 minutes, just until combined and sugar has dissolved. Turn heat off. Do not continue to cook rhubarb. Drain off half of the syrup and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk egg yolks with lemon zest, cardamon and ¼ cup sugar, until creamy and sugar has dissolved. Set aside. In a small bowl, whisk almond flour, pinch salt, and baking powder until combined. Add flour mixture to egg mixture and stir to incorporate. You will have a very thick heavy batter at this point.
- In a stand mixer, whip egg whites on medium high speed, and once you see bubbles, add a pinch of salt and a teaspoon of vinegar . Whip until egg whites have formed soft peaks, then add remaining ¼ cup of sugar a little at a time whipping until medium stiff peaks form.
- Turn speed down to medium-low and begin spooning in the flour/egg mixture , a heaping spoonful at a time, into the egg whites until it is all combined, scraping down sides as necessary.
- Arrange the rhubarb evenly on the bottom of the skillet, remembering this will be the top of the dessert. Pour batter over the rhubarb in the skillet and place in a preheated oven, for 30-40 minutes. (While baking, make sure to have a plate or platter ready, what you plan to flip the cake on to.) At 30 minutes, check for doneness by inserting a toothpick or skewer into the middle of the cake. If it comes out clean, it is done. If not, bake a bit longer.
- Pull from the oven, let it stand 5 minutes, and run a knife along the edges. Place a cake platter or cake stand over the skillet, and invert, gently tapping the bottom of the skillet so it releases.
- Let stand 10 minutes. Poke holes in outer edges of the cake (skip the middle area) and drizzle with reserved rhubarb syrup if you like.
- Serve with vanilla ice cream or on its own. The cake is especially good the next day.
Notes
I use a 9-inch cast iron skillet for this recipe! I’ve also tried it with a 9-inch spring form pan- with no leaks- but some readers have had issues with leaks. So, warning! If using a spring form pan, line the bottom with parchment and bake over a sheet pan.
Feel free to add almond extract, more almond flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 22.4 g
- Sodium: 220.7 mg
- Fat: 15.2 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.6 g
- Carbohydrates: 28.5 g
- Fiber: 1.8 g
- Protein: 6.5 g
- Cholesterol: 72.2 mg