Semi Rustic Nectarine-Berry Upside-Down Cake PLUS a 24-Hour Contest

Why do grocery-store strawberries look fresh and unblemished in the produce department and on the way home, they deteriorate? Why do almost ripe nectarines wither and darken overnight? My refrigerator is on the blink, but still.

Do I have bad fruit karma?

I seriously thought about letting the chickens have the fruit; but then I decided to be a good farm wife. I removed the offensive spots and made a cake.

It's not the prettiest cake, but I've definitely made worse. This time, the taste was just right--slightly tart, not too sweet. It was even a little undercooked, which made a gooey, pudding-like center. Heaven!

Whipped cream turned bad fruit karma into a decadent, pack-on-the-pounds, thunder-thigh making dessert.

When Dr. Big got home, Bandwidth said, "She made another weird cake."

"Just taste it," I said and slipped a spoonful into Big's mouth. He chewed in complete silence, which can be a good or bad culinary sign.

"The chickens'll love it," Bandy said.

"Nope," said Big. "The chickens ain't getting this."






Semi-Rustic Nectarine-Berry Upside-Down Cake

1 white cake mix

1 box instant vanilla pudding mix

canola oil

water

3 large eggs

2 nectarines, peeled and cut up

1 1/2 c. strawberries, capped and sliced

1/4 c dried cranberries (I used organic. If you have time--I didn't--you can soak them in peach brandy to "plump" them a bit.)

butter

brown sugar

chopped pecans

Preheat oven 350 degrees.

Spray pan with PAM

Melt 3/4 stick butter

Pour into pan and add brown sugar. Mix. Add pecans.

Add fruit.

If you have lovely nectarines, leave the skins on, slice, and arrange in a fetching, pinwheel pattern.

Mix cake according to directions (but add the pudding mix). Pour batter over fruit. Bake 50-55 minutes. Use a cake tester if you don't like "runny" centers and be prepared to cook a bit longer. Cool and invert. Sprinkle with demerara sugar. Throw caution to the wind and serve with whipped cream.

Pat yourself on the back. Smile when your husband kisses you. Wink at the produce counter and promise yourself to plant your own berries this year. Plus, you have outwitted bad fruit karma.


I'm linking to Lady Katherine's Tea Time Tuesday. It's her birthday, so be sure to stop by for a visit.

Now for the 24-Hour contest.

The prize is a $25 gift certificate to Bed, Bath, & Beyond.

To enter, leave a comment and complete this sentence:

"The last time I bought strawberries, _____."

You can enter as many times as you wish, and your name will go into the electronic "hat" each time.

The contest ends at 10PM (central) Tuesday night.

(Disclaimer: all give-aways and door prizes are donated 100% by Dr. Big and Gollum.)