Upside Down Fig Cake

 UPSIDE DOWN FIG CAKE

TOPPING

4 tablespoons butter, melted

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon orange zest

2 tablespoons orange juice

12 - 16 ripe figs, stems removed, cut in half lengthwise

CAKE

1/2 cup butter, softened

2/3 cup sugar

1/3 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

1/2 sup sour cream

1/4 cup orange juice

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 1/2 cups flour

2 teaspoons orange zest

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup candied orange peel

Preheat oven to 350* 

Prepare a 9" cake pan with nonstick spray.

TOPPING

Combine melted butter, brown sugar, orange zest and orange juice until smooth.

Pour into prepared pan and spread to coat bottom evenly.

Place fig halves, cut side down, arranging to cover bottom of pan.

CAKE

Cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy.

Beat in eggs, sour cream, orange juice and vanilla.

Add flour, orange zest, baking powder and salt to wet mixture, and combine all thoroughly.

Gently mix in candied orange peel.

Drop spoonfuls of batter onto figs and spread carefully to even out and fill pan.

Bake at 350* for 55 - 60 minutes, until golden brown and cake tests done.

Let cool in pan for 10 - 15 minutes before turning out onto plate.

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