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This easy Cranberry Upside Down Cake is the perfect blend of sweet and tart and features a soft and fluffy cake with pudding added. Guests won't be able to resist this cranberry cake that uses fresh cranberries and orange zest. Forget frosting and serve for Thanksgiving or Christmas dessert with whipped cream!

Cranberry Upside Down Cake

This easy Cranberry Upside Down Cake is the perfect blend of sweet and tart and features a soft and fluffy cake with pudding added. Guests won't be able to resist this cranberry cake that uses fresh cranberries and orange zest. Forget frosting and serve for Thanksgiving or Christmas dessert with whipped cream or ice cream!

Course Dessert
Keyword Christmas, Christmas Cake, Christmas dessert, Cranberry Cake, cranberry dessert, fresh cranberries, Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving dessert, Thanksgiving recipes, upside down cake
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 16

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup butter softened
  • 12 oz bag fresh cranberries
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 pkg (3 oz) JELL-O red gelatin (cranberry, raspberry or strawberry)
  • 1/2 tablespoon orange zest
  • 1 pkg (15.25 oz) 2-layer size yellow cake mix (without pudding added to mix)
  • 1 pkg (3.4 oz) JELL-O Cheesecake Flavor Instant Pudding (or Vanilla/French Vanilla)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2/3 cups water
  • 2/3 cups orange juice
  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • fresh mint garnish
  • fresh cranberries garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.

  2. Line a 13x9 inch baking pan with parchment parchment paper, making sure the ends extend over the side. Spread softened butter over parchment paper.

  3. In medium bowl, mix cranberries, sugar, gelatin and orange zest. Pour into bottom of pan and press into a single layer.

  4. In large bowl beat cake mix, dry pudding mix, eggs, water, orange juice and oil with mixer, just until fully mixed. Pour batter over cranberries and gently spread to an even layer.

  5. Bake 42 to 46 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

  6. Cool completely. Carefully invert cake on to platter, removing the pan and parchment paper.

  7. Serve at room temperature or cold with whipped cream and fresh mint and fresh cranberries for garnish, if desired.