2012, people!
We’re all over it!
And it’s all over us!
All over our checkbooks, our cell phones, our Day-Timers, what have you.
Let’s celebrate.
Personally, I’m incredibly excited about 2012.
We’ll be electing.
We’ll be Olympicing.
We’ll be Hobbiting.
And we just may be churning out a tasty treat or two from this here kitchen.
Because 2012 is destined to be such a winner, I definitely chose to spend its very first day being responsible.
I thought hard about my resolutions and I was committed to those initial auspicious moments.
Let me break it down for you.
Resolution #1: Stop eating like a 5th grader.
Done.
Obvi.
Oh, wait.
Chips & salsa for breakfast and Pomegranate Upside Down Cake for lunch and dinner don’t qualify? Whatever.
Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love ya, tomorrow…
Sing it with me brothers and sisters.
Resolution #2: Be more efficient.
File your taxes! Pay your bills! Bake a cake! Twitter a tweet! All simultaneously!
No wait! Sit on the couch and watch a day-long marathon of Jersey Shore!
#done
And you may want to stay away from my Twitter feed today. It will likely be chock full of all kinds of #snookie_monster, #crocadilly, and #grenade references. Fair warning.
#DontJudge
Oh, look! She’s going for a triple-double with Resolution #3: Drink more water!
Watch as she guzzles soda, downs milk and juice, and studiously avoids eye contact with those gallons of freshly filtered agua!
What a winner! Dry as a desiccated raisin, yes. But a winner!
My name is Meagan.
My nickname is Scarletta.
My Hobbit name is Lalia Brownlock.
And my Jersey Shore name is Joanie Mozzarella.
I may be an inefficient, dehydrated, chicken nugget & frozen pizza devotee, but I promise to bring you some most excellent things throughout 2012.
Get excited. Get jazzed. Get hungry.
#FistPump
Pomegranate Upside Down Cake
1/3 c. + 1/2 c. unsalted butter, softened, divided
3/4 c. dark brown sugar, tightly packed
1 1/2 c. + 1/2 c. pomegranate seeds (Please note that you can choose to harvest these seeds directly from the fresh fruit, or go the lazy route like I did and use the prepackaged fresh arils from POM Wonderful. Either way you will need approximately 3 fresh pomegranates or 3- 4 ounce containers of fresh arils.)
2 c. all-purpose flour
1 c. white sugar, granulated
1 3/4 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. salt
2 large eggs
1/2 c. pomegranate juice
1/2 c. milk, whole
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 c. heavy cream (optional, for use as garnish; please see serving notes below)
Preheat oven to 350°.
A note on baking this cake: I opted to bake my cake in a 9″ springform pan so that it would have enough room to rise without overflowing a standard-depth cake pan. But depending on your springform, some of the melted brown sugar and juice from the pomegranate seeds may leak out of the pan. So I baked my cake on a rimmed sheet pan – no sweat. The leakage won’t detract at all from the flavor or appearance of your cake, you’ll just want to use the sheet pan to contain it so that you don’t wind up with an apocalyptically messy oven. Alternatively, if you have a deep 9″ cake pan, you could simply use that.
Line a 9″ round springform pan with parchment and lightly grease the sides. Spread 1 1/2 cups of pomegranate seeds as evenly as possible over the bottom of the lined pan, place the pan on a rimmed baking sheet and set aside.
In a small saucepan, melt 1/3 cup of butter and the brown sugar over medium heat, stirring often. Once the mixture has melted, pour it over the pomegranate seeds and spread it as evenly as possible.
Meanwhile, in a large bowl, cream the remaining butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs and continue to beat. Add the salt, vanilla, baking powder, flour, milk and pomegranate juice, beating until just mixed into a uniform batter. Pour the batter over the seed and sugar mixture and spread evenly. Rap your pan several times on the counter just to remove any air bubbles. Bake your cake for approximately 55 minutes or until slightly golden and puffed. AGAIN, don’t panic when your springform pan leaks out of its bottom while baking – you will have placed it on a rimmed baking sheet so the leak is contained and the cake will still rock.
Remove the baked cake and allow it to cool completely. Once cool to the touch, remove the spring edges of the pan and invert the cake, removing the pan bottom and paper liner.
Serving Notes: Once I inverted this cake, I opted to serve it with 1 cup of fresh whipped cream on top. The cake was still warm so the heavy cream melted around the cake, creating a final presentation that resembled a classic tres leches cake. The cake itself is dense, sweet and rich with pomegranate flavor so I found that all of that cream offered a lovely balance and obviously kept the cake extremely moist. You do not have to serve the cake with any whipped cream or any of the 1/2 cup of pomegranate seeds that I chose to use as a garnish. Just keep in mind that if you do choose to go the cream route and you top your cake while it’s still warm as I did, you’ll want to serve the cake on a rimmed platter so that your cream doesn’t melt all over your lovely tablescape.
YIELD: 8 – 10 servings
This is my go to cake!! It is beautiful and tastes heavenly. Thank you!!
You’re so welcome, Tesi! I’m very happy to hear that you are enjoying this recipe – it’s especially fun to serve a cake like this at this time of year, don’t you think?
This looks delicious and I cant wait to try it out!!
I have just tried Pomegranates for the first time in my life (eek in my 40′s) and wow, what a wonderful fruit. Now I am looking for recipes and this one definitely fits the bill. Thank you so much for the inspiration!
This is really amazing. The pictures… you are a baking star. ack!
OK wow. This looks incredible!
Fist pump for this delicious cake…and seriously I share your affection for the guidos and guidettes of Jersey Shore (kind of like a car accident where you can’t look away).
Love your Jersey name, but love this cake even more.
Hello!
I just baked this in my brand new bundt pan and it turned out great! it is so delicious!!!
Thanks for your blog, I love it!
Victoria
I’m so happy to hear this, Victoria! Cheers, and enjoy the cake!!
Joanie Mozzarella made me crack up! What a beautiful looking cake, love all things pomegranate! Also really loving the blue dinner napkin in your photos!
Thanks, Meghan! I get all of my linens from Picking Daisies in San Luis Obispo. I am absolutely obsessed with their colorful, crazy patterns. http://www.pickingdaisiesinslo.com
Hahaha…what a great post!! this is the first time i have come across a cake recipe using pomegranates. what a creative idea. i look forward to trying this out.
LOVE this cake oh so much! Oh, and I think I am most excited about Hobbiting.
The perfect cake to celebrate with…delightful!
Happy 2012!
Delicious! And yes, chips and salsa does qualify as dinner as long as there is cake involved too! I do the same at times
Happy New Year!
So funny that you mention The Hobbit in a list with elections and olympics. Great looking cake too.
This sound absolutely amazing. I’m definitely going to be baking it for my husbands birthday – he is totally obsessed with pomegranate. Kudos!
OMG…I saw this on another food blog I follow and couldn’t resist checking it out! I’m a recipe junky who collects cookbooks, and I also LOVE to find new ideas to make cooking fun and tasty! The idea of using poms is something I’ve never thought about because I’ve only ever seen pineapple versions, which are honestly not my favorite thing in a cake. My family has been eating a lot of pomegranates lately so I’m thinking this is just another way for us to enjoy this fabulous fruit. I love that you put cream on top…it looks absolutely amazing!! Thanks for the recipe – I can’t wait to try it out on my family and I will definitely be following your blog from now on to see what else you come up with
It looks stunning! Congrats on the Top 9!
This cake looks unreal. Seriously so imaginative, rich, and creative! If only I could have a large slice in front of me right now…thanks for the eye candy!
Oh that is so beautiful, and I’m sure it’s delicious. And I love having trashy-reality show marathons!:)
The cake looks delicious and I know it tastes as good as it looks. I can’t wait to bake one up.
This cake is gorgeous!!! I looove pomegranate. Which, as you know, is a super healthy and antioxidant rich food. So there are some vitamins in there! Congrats on Top 9.
I haven’t taken the time to comment on nearly enough blog posts in the past few weeks (shame on me) but I HAD to stop and take the time this morning.
What a funny, inspiring post. And that cake? Girl…you’re killing me. I have a pomegranate right here, just dying to be turned into your Pomegranate Upside Down Cake. So much for my plan to count calories in 2012. (That ridiculous resolution always bites the dust first anyway.)
As of 2 minutes ago I’m following you on Twitter.
Can’t wait to see what else you’re up to.
And congrats on making the Daily Buzz!
Thanks so much for stopping by, Brook! Best wishes for a delicious 2012!!
Girl, you are such a hoot! But I can totally relate to those resolutions – and doing the complete opposite of them =)
This cake sounds super duper tasty!
Hey…very yummmyyyyyyyyy…..
Oooh the cake looks delicious! The brightly colored pomegranate seeds atop the fluffy white frosting really make the cake pop.
The funnest post of the NY by far! Love your cake Meagan/Scarletta;)The whipped cream oozing over the side…mmmm! Happy New Year and #fistpumps to you!xx
I’m going to be writing 2011 on my notebook for a few more weeks I think… Great resolutions, take them slowly, it’s hard to change! Feel free to eat more cake for breakfast.
Amen to that!!!!!
I so need this list on my fridge, on the mirror and next to my bed!:))))
Your recipe sound fantastic and look like something I would def eat for – breakfast!:) Thanks for sharing and have a AMAZING NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!
This cake looks beautiful!!!!! I def have to try this.
I know how to formulate my stripper name (you know, your first pet and the street you grew up on—or something like that—mine is Bubbles Hudson—seriously.) How does one get to his/her Joisey Shore name, please?
Here you go:
http://www.unlikelywords.com/2009/12/08/jersey-shore-nickname-generator/
Best, Andie Countryside
So…Lalia…you made me happy this afternoon, your post is so funny.
I never cook with pomegranate, I always find it difficult to work with because the seeds, but I really like how you cake looks, maybe this can be one of my 2012 resolution, try to add pomegranate to my recipes.
Your Jersey Shore name had me laughing out loud…. LITERALLY … and I’m at work… which is not good. lol! And as always Scarletta …. LUV the cake! (and eating like a 5th grader!)
I’m pretty sure making cakes like this negates any other transgressions. Happy New Years. I have to go get some Poms!
-Gina-
I’ve never baked w poms before. Can’t wait to try this!
Ha! Now that’s the way I like my new years resolutions…real! I love the cake too, pomegranate upside down sounds perfect!
Singing with ya’! Happy New Year!
I am very excited and I love your resolutions
Now that’s a decadent cake I want to dive right into!
loving this cake and the shout out to “responsibility” in 2012! PS where can I get me a hobbit name?
I’ve been craving the pineapple version…but may have to switch it up now. My hobbit name is Azaelia Grubb of Little Delving.
#nerd.
I need to pop by more often…you always put a smile on my face! I sort of like eating like a 5th grader…harumph. Especially if it involves pomegranate upside down cake for lunch
Glad to hear you’ll be taking 2012 to the max.
(Fist pump.)
A must make!
Charlie
Whatever works for you, I will never judge!! Love this idea, pomegranates are so yummy what a great cake you made with them!
This looks really good. I love finding new ways to work with fresh pomegranate.
I did a Mob Wives marathon, does that qualify! And this cake is awesome (fist pump coming after gtl)
Heck yeah that counts! Those ladies scare me more than #grenades.
hahaha Happy new year Meagan!!
your posts always make me laugh!
and this cake looks super good
An awesome looking and regal sounding upside down cake! I agree with drinking more water but need to cut the caffeine, how does one do that?
Take care…
Gerry, I accomplish this by simply reminding myself of how much water is actually in the Diet Coke, cup of coffee, etc. that I am currently drinking. I have thusly instantly anointed myself a multi-tasker and can therefore feel immediately fantastic about my efficiency, water intake and productivity.
Wow, you are sooo smart! I am not worried at all now and will continue on my 4 cups a day coffee journey. I think theres an antioxidant in there somewhere too so we are doing awesome
Cant wait for the Olympics! I work 2 minutes from the stadium……exciting!!!!
The cake looks lush!
This cake looks to die for – LOVE pomegranates. And you are just too darn funny!! Happy New Year! I look forward to seeing what you share in 2012! #fistpumpbackatcha
You are awesome. I could not love this post more!
Jersey Shores? How about a day long “Sister Wives” marathon? I did that once. I think we’re even, so no judgy judgy here! Happy New Year Meagan, here’s to lots of resolution breaking in the year to come!
#MadeOfAwesome! You are way too cool for silly things like “resolutions” …..whatev! This cake is WAY too cool to just sit out here alone – I’m gonna #stumbleit.
Happy New Year and glad you’re back!
What a unique upside down cake! I really love that you used a different kind of fruit and how colorful it is!
Oh wow, what a gorgeous cake! I’ve never actually had a cake so full of pomegranate, I really only have had pomegranate raw or as a topping. It looks fabulous!
The cake looks amazing! I love the pomegranate idea, I’m going to have to try that out. I secretly love jersey shore also, hilarious #fistpump!
Love it. Sincerely, Joanie Mozzarella
LOL – I love this post. Kudos! Of course, I am posting this in PJs on my day off from the couch while eating cheese & crackers.
Ahem.
Happy New Year!
#DoubleFistPump
Such a gorgeous cake!!
This cake looks beautiful!! I am so making this tonight!! I will let you know how it turns out!
Please do, Lane! If you can resist digging in before the cake cools, you’re a way better person than I.
Well, I was able to let it cool. But of course, I got so excited about making it that I didn’t exactly start out with the butter as softened as it should be. I took the dog for a walk and pondered if I should throw the whole thing out and start over, but I decided to continue, and it turned out fine…more than fine! It’s the best cake I’ve ever made! I would have posted a picture of it but not quite sure how to do that from here, but if this going to be what 2012 looks like, this should be a year to remember indeed! Thank you Scarletta!
WOOT! That’s awesome, Lane! And I’m actually going to be starting a ‘digital scrapbook’ page so please do send your photo to me at meagan (at) scarlettabakes (dot) com whenever you have a moment. I’m so glad the cake was a hit!!
Ok, so the REASON I was able to wait is because we were going to the theatre, so when we came back, I had to have a piece before I went to bed. I took a picture of before I ate it, even though I was planning on taking a picture of the rest of the cake at work before I cut it up. Today I got it all arranged, went back to get my camera, and by the time I got back, it was already a pomegranate mob scene. But the picture of the lone piece is still a thing of beauty, and I will send it to you!
This looks delicious. And what a beautiful photo!