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Butterscotch Clementine Upside-Down Cakes with Rosemary Orange Syrup

May 22, 2014 by Kayley 11 Comments

Butterscotch Clementine Upside-down Cakes with Rosemary Orange Syrup | thekitchenmccabe.com

This dessert is sort of a last kiss between the parting of seasons. Clementines are(well) on their way out, after being enjoyed all winter long as the go-to, easy access fruit. Fresh Rosemary is just coming into use, going into gardens every where, to be enjoyed all summer long. I’ve already exhausted my supply of rosemary. My poor plant needs some recovery time and I need more plants.

Butterscotch Clementine Upside-down Cakes with Rosemary Orange Syrup | thekitchenmccabe.com

Regardless of my blatant disregard for the slow growth rate of my favorite herb, it really does pair so beautifully with those bright, juicy clementines. And who doesn’t love the stunning simplicity of an upside-down cake? These turn out of their pans so easily(just make sure to use a non-stick muffin tin…it makes a huge difference!) and the clementines have such a beautiful vibrant color.

Butterscotch Clementine Upside-down Cakes with Rosemary Orange Syrup | thekitchenmccabe.com

The rosemary isn’t in heavy use, in this recipe. Just used to lightly scent the vibrant citrus syrup that is drizzled over the tops of the clementines, upping the gloss factor and orange flavors.

Butterscotch Clementine Upside-down Cakes with Rosemary Orange Syrup | thekitchenmccabe.com

Dense, but not heavy, lightly butterscotch flavored cake serves as the pedestal on which the clementines sit. And a dense cake is necessary when you have such a small dessert on your hands. Small desserts require substance! There is nothing more disappointing to me than a little dessert with no substance.

Butterscotch Clementine Upside-down Cakes with Rosemary Orange Syrup | thekitchenmccabe.com

The batter will most likely fill your entire muffin tin. Don’t worry about it overflowing, it shouldn’t rise much at all due to it’s lack of leavener.

Make sure that you plan a little ahead for these cakes. You’ll need to make a browned butter that will need time to chill and solidify before use. It can be made an hour in advance, or up to several days in advance kept stored in the fridge.

The syrup can also be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge as well. Just make sure to bring it back up to room temperature or warm it up a bit before using. You may have a little syrup left over….hello pancakes!

Butterscotch Clementine Upside-down Cakes with Rosemary Orange Syrup | thekitchenmccabe.com

Butterscotch Clementine Upside-Down Cakes with Rosemary Orange Syrup
 
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*Choose clementines that are not too small or too big, who's horizontal slices will fit nicely in the bottom of a muffin tin. *Plan ahead! The browned butter will need to be made about an hour in advance. It could also be made several days in advance, as well as the syrup.
Serves: Makes 9 Cakes
Ingredients
  • FOR THE SYRUP:
  • 4 sprigs fresh Rosemary, finely chopped
  • ¾ C. Sugar
  • Juice of 2 medium Oranges
  • FOR THE CAKES:
  • 2 sticks Butter(8 oz)
  • ¾ C. flour
  • ¾ C. Brown Sugar, lightly packed
  • ¼ t. salt
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 t. Vanilla
  • 2 T. Milk
  • 3 clementines, peeled
  • 9 t. Brown Sugar
Instructions
  1. For the Syrup:
  2. Place the chopped rosemary, sugar, and orange juice in a medium saucepan. Stir lightly to wet sugar.
  3. Bring to a boil over medium/high heat, brushing the sides down occasionally with a wet pastry brush to dissolve any sugar crystals that may have formed on the sides.
  4. Boil for 5-7 minutes, or until the syrup has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon.
  5. Remove from heat and let cool.
  6. For the Cakes:
  7. In a large saute pan on medium/high heat, melt the butter.
  8. Butter will begin to foam and puff up. Stir constantly, until the butter turns a golden brown color and develops a nutty aroma. Take care not to burn.
  9. Remove butter from heat and pour into a shallow container. You can either refrigerate the butter for about an hour, until it firms up, or pop it in the freezer for 20-30 minutes.
  10. When the butter has firmed up, scoop out ½ C. of the butter and place it in a mixing bowl. Set aside.
  11. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  12. Melt the remaining browned butter and using a pastry brush, use it to heavily coat the bottoms and sides of 9 muffin tin wells.
  13. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of brown sugar evenly across the bottom of each greased well.
  14. Cut the ends off of each clementine(eat these!) and cut three horizontal slices out of each clementine for 9 total slices. Place a slice of clementine on top of each brown sugar covered well. Pat down firmly into the tin.
  15. Add the ¾ C. brown sugar to the reserved ½ C. of solid brown butter and cream with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
  16. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
  17. Beat in the vanilla.
  18. In a small bowl, mix together the flour and salt.
  19. Add to the butter/egg mixture and mix in until just combined.
  20. Add the milk and mix in until just combined.
  21. Scoop the batter into the clementine lined muffin wells, dividing evenly between the 9 wells(about 3½ T. per well..
  22. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-23 minutes, or until golden brown and firmly set on top.
  23. Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes.
  24. Using your finger tips, press down gently on top of each cake and twist. The cake should turn pretty easily. Do this to each cake to loosen, and then invert the pan and gently remove the cakes, if they don't already fall out on their own.
  25. Serve the cakes warm, drizzled with the rosemary syrup.
3.2.2925

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Filed Under: Cakes, Cupcakes and Minis, Desserts

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Comments

  1. Kate | Food Babbles says

    May 23, 2014 at 1:08 AM

    These are stunning! I love the complex and delightful flavors going on here. Far too often we “upside down” the same fruits. Love the use of clementines here. Yum!

    Reply
    • Kayley says

      May 23, 2014 at 2:06 PM

      Thank you bunches, Kate! Clementines are so perfect for “upside-downing”, they fit in the tins perfectly!

      Reply
  2. Matt Robinson says

    May 23, 2014 at 6:09 AM

    That rosemary orange syrup is the greatest idea, drooling here!!!

    Reply
    • Kayley says

      May 23, 2014 at 2:07 PM

      Thank you Matt! It really makes the cakes!

      Reply
  3. Bill says

    May 23, 2014 at 12:24 PM

    Kayley, I’m blown away by the this recipe! Your recipes are so inspiring as are you photos. I always love visiting The Kitchen McCabe!! Awesome post!

    Reply
    • Kayley says

      May 23, 2014 at 2:08 PM

      You just made my day, Bill! Thank you!

      Reply
  4. Danae @ Recipe Runner says

    May 23, 2014 at 5:58 PM

    So many things to love about these little cakes. Butterscotch being #1, but I am loving this rosemary orange syrup. I love when citrus and herbs are combined! Amazing pictures as always!

    Reply
    • Kayley says

      May 24, 2014 at 1:27 AM

      Thank you so much,Danae! Citrus and herbs are always a win, in my book =) Have a great weekend!

      Reply
  5. tahnycooks says

    May 24, 2014 at 12:23 PM

    I love butterscotch! and I really love that I can make this oil ahead of time! Great pic’s! Super Yum!

    Reply
    • Kayley says

      May 24, 2014 at 3:48 PM

      Thank you Tahny! I’m all about making things ahead of time, haha =)

      Reply

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My name is Kayley! Welcome To The Kitchen McCabe, a blog based on wholesome recipes, beautiful food and photography. More >>

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