We're starting an exciting project! We have been looking for a bed and a dresser for our third bedroom, something to re-finish while we're waiting for our little girl. We found a set for less than 200$ that included a bed, desk, and dresser! The Geologist was disappointed when we discovered that they are made of particle board, so he can't really "re-finish" them, but they're sturdy and we'll be repainting and maybe doing fun decorative things, once we find out more about her likes and dislikes. I'll be honest, he'll be doing most of the work, it is HIS project after all, but when it comes to color and decorating, that's where I come in! So they're off buying paint and things, being manly... And I am sharing treats with you!
Anyone else buy bags and bags of those seedless, easy-peel little Clementines during the winter? Our favorite are the "Cuties", and my three boys go through zillions of them. Me and fresh citrus have issues, so I usually abstain. But I saw a picture of some cakes like these on Pinterest was determined to make my own, and they turned out wonderfully!! (Oh, and I make a loaf of pound cake with the leftover batter! Win-win, right?) So if you've got a few to spare, try baking those Cuties!
Clementine Upside-Down Cakes
Printable Recipe
2 cups all-purpose flour
¾ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
6 oz cream cheese, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups sugar
4 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 Tb clementine (or orange) zest
1 Tb clementine (or orange) juice
Brown sugar
Clementines sliced about 1 centimeter thick (only use the middle slices, not the tops and bottoms)
1/2 cup clementine/orange juice
1/2 cup sugar
Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease a 12-cup muffin tin well and set aside.
Sift flour, baking powder, and salt into a medium bowl. Set aside. In a large bowl, beat the butter and cream cheese together until smooth. Add sugar and beat until mixture is smooth and pale, about 2 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, beating well and scraping down after each. Add vanilla, zest, and juice and beat well. Slowly mix in the dry ingredients, folding together until just combined.
In the bottom of each muffin cup, sprinkle about 1/2 tsp of brown sugar. Lay a slice of clementine on top.
Clementines sliced about 1 centimeter thick (only use the middle slices, not the tops and bottoms)
1/2 cup clementine/orange juice
1/2 cup sugar
Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease a 12-cup muffin tin well and set aside.
Sift flour, baking powder, and salt into a medium bowl. Set aside. In a large bowl, beat the butter and cream cheese together until smooth. Add sugar and beat until mixture is smooth and pale, about 2 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, beating well and scraping down after each. Add vanilla, zest, and juice and beat well. Slowly mix in the dry ingredients, folding together until just combined.
In the bottom of each muffin cup, sprinkle about 1/2 tsp of brown sugar. Lay a slice of clementine on top.
Fill the cup with batter.
Bake just until tops feel firm and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, about 20-25 minutes. Let cool for just a few minutes in the pan, then invert onto a wire rack (hold the wire rack with the top against the top of the muffin pan, flip them over together, then carefully remove the muffin pan) Let cool a few more minutes while making the syrup.
Bring the juice and sugar to a boil, continue boiling until the sugar has dissolved and it just starts to thicken.
Spoon the warm syrup over the cakes. Serve warm, with ice cream or whipped cream, or berries!
Spoon the warm syrup over the cakes. Serve warm, with ice cream or whipped cream, or berries!
Sorry, I don't have any pretty plated pics of these, they were for Bollywood night! Quick note: see above how I used the tops and bottoms? Well, turns out they have too much pith on them, and when baked became pretty bitter. So just eat those tops and bottoms, or feed them to your kids, or your dog, and keep the pretty middle slices for the cakes. It's worth it! You should get 2 or 3 slices out of the middle depending on the size of your clementines.
The ones that weren't bitter were scrumptious!! (Sorry girls!!) Bright and sunny, sweet tangy Clementines on light, soft, orangey pound cakes, drizzled with orange syrup... and not difficult! But so cute and pretty, and scrumptious with some freshly whipped cream!
Those are really cute April and looking delicious, bitter pith or not. I want to hear more about Bollywood night! I wish I had some girls I could do that with. I am so excited about you getting a little girl! What a blessing! You will have to share the decoration of her room process with us! XXOO
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