Tangy Michael Symon Lemon Upside Down Cake Recipe Delight

Michael Symon’s lemon upside down cake bursts with sunshine-drenched flavor, turning an ordinary dessert into a zesty celebration.

Tangy citrus weaves magic through a pillowy golden crumb, creating layers of delightful complexity.

Caramelized edges whisper rustic elegance, transforming simple ingredients into a culinary masterpiece.

Bright, vibrant lemons infuse each bite with unexpected depth and irresistible charm.

Soft, tender textures mingle with bold, punchy notes that dance across your palate.

This dessert isn’t just a cake, it’s an experience that captures summer’s essence in every luminous slice.

Grab your fork and let the first bite transport you to a world of pure, unapologetic deliciousness.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 550 kcal

Servings: 8

Ingredients in Michael Symon’s Lemon Upside Down Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: Choose unbleached flour for a more natural, robust flavor.
• Salt: Use fine sea salt for even distribution and clean taste.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Check expiration dates to ensure maximum rising power.

• Eggs: Select fresh, room temperature eggs for smoother batter.
• Milk: Whole milk provides richer, creamier texture.
• Olive Oil: Pick extra virgin for subtle fruity undertones.
• Granulated Sugar: Opt for fine-grain sugar for seamless mixing.
• Vanilla Extract: Use pure vanilla for deep, authentic flavor.
• Lemon Juice, Lemon Zest: Select bright, firm lemons with vibrant yellow skin.

• Butter: Choose unsalted, high-quality butter for golden caramelization.
• Brown Sugar: Use dark brown sugar for deeper, more complex sweetness.
• Heavy Cream: Select heavy whipping cream with high fat content.
• Vanilla Extract: Fresh, pure vanilla enhances whipped cream's richness.
• Lemon Slices: Use thin, uniform slices for elegant presentation.

Tools to Make Lemon Upside Down Cake

• Dutch oven: Heavy-bottomed pot perfect for even heat distribution on the grill.
• Whisk: Essential for blending dry and wet ingredients smoothly.
• Small mixing bowl: Used for combining dry ingredients like flour and spices.
• Large mixing bowl: Needed for mixing wet ingredients and creating cake batter.
• Grill: Main cooking appliance for indirect heat baking.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise tool for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Glass jar: Chilled container for making homemade whipped cream.
• Serving platter: Flat dish for presenting and serving the finished cake.
• Grater: Handy for zesting fresh lemon.
• Spatula: Useful for gently mixing batter and scraping bowl edges.

How to Bake Michael Symon’s Lemon Upside Down Cake

Grill Your Sunshine Cake

• Set the Grill Stage

Organize your grill for gentle, indirect cooking. For charcoal grills, stack hot coals on one side, creating a warm zone. With gas grills, activate one side at medium heat while keeping the other side cool and calm.

• Create Cake Magic

Whisk together flour, spices, and rising agents in one bowl. In another, blend creamy eggs, milk, sweet sugar, and zesty citrus notes until everything sings together. Fold ingredients gently, allowing them to dance without overmixing.

• Craft Caramel Canvas

Melt butter in a Dutch oven, watching it transform into golden liquid. Sprinkle brown sugar, stirring until it resembles damp beach sand. Arrange bright lemon slices like a sunburst across this sweet landscape.

• Bake with Outdoor Passion

Pour cake batter over lemony caramel, nestling the Dutch oven in the grill’s gentler zone. Close the lid and let magic happen for about an hour, allowing flavors to mingle and textures to develop.

• Reveal and Celebrate

After baking, let the cake rest briefly. Carefully flip onto a serving plate, revealing the gorgeous caramelized lemon design. Shake up some quick homemade cream in a chilled jar, whipping it into dreamy clouds.

• Serve with Joy

Slice the cake into wedges, crown each piece with fluffy cream, and savor your grilled dessert masterpiece. Enjoy the blend of smoky warmth and bright citrus notes that tell a delicious summer story.

Topping Tips for Lemon Upside Down Cake

• Upgrade Your Grill Cake: Discover expert techniques to elevate this delightful dessert.
• Customize Caramel Texture: Adjust butter browning time for deeper, richer caramel flavor. Watch closely to prevent burning, aiming for a golden amber color that adds depth to your cake's base.
• Slice Lemon Artfully: Create stunning visual patterns by overlapping or arranging lemon slices in circular or geometric designs. Thin, uniform slices ensure even caramelization and beautiful presentation.
• Whipped Cream Hack: Transform jar-shaking into a fun kitchen workout. Use cold heavy cream and shake vigorously to develop creamy texture without electric mixers. Kids and adults will love this hands-on technique.
• Flavor Swap Magic: Experiment with different citrus fruits like blood oranges or key limes to create unique variations. Replace lemon with seasonal fruits for a surprising twist that keeps the recipe exciting and adaptable.

Serving Ideas for Michael Symon’s Lemon Cake

• Pair with Citrus Sorbet: Complement the lemon cake's bright flavors with a refreshing scoop of homemade citrus sorbet, enhancing the zesty profile.
• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped mint or basil leaves on top to add a subtle herbal note that balances the cake's sweetness.
• Create a Dessert Cocktail: Serve alongside a light lemon vodka cocktail or champagne to elevate the dining experience and add a touch of elegance.
• Add Candied Lemon Peel: Decorate the whipped cream with delicate strips of candied lemon peel for an extra burst of citrusy texture and visual appeal.

Storing Lemon Upside Down Cake

• Preserve Fresh Flavor: Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container to maintain moisture and prevent drying out. Refrigeration keeps the cake fresh for up to 3-4 days.
• Slice and Freeze Smart: Cut individual portions and freeze in freezer-safe containers for easy grab-and-go desserts. Frozen cake stays delicious for 2-3 weeks when properly wrapped.
• Whipped Cream Care: Prepare whipped cream just before serving for maximum freshness. Store any leftover cream in a sealed container in the refrigerator and consume within 24 hours for best taste and texture.
• Advance Prep Magic: Mix dry and wet ingredients separately the night before grilling. Keep them refrigerated overnight to save time and enhance flavor development. Bring ingredients to room temperature before final mixing and baking.

Tangy Michael Symon Lemon Upside Down Cake Recipe

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4.8 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Michael Symon’s lemon upside down cake delivers a tangy, sweet dessert with caramelized citrus topping. Zesty lemons and rich butter create a memorable treat you’ll want to share with friends and family.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 lemons, sliced paper thin, seeds removed (about 20 slices)
• 1 cup (240 ml) olive oil
• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
• ¾ cup (150 g) light brown sugar
• 2 cups (480 ml) all-purpose flour
• 1 ¼ cups (300 ml) whole milk
• 4 tbsps (60 g) unsalted butter
• 3 large eggs
• 2 tbsps confectioner sugar
• 2 tsps pure vanilla extract
• 1 ½ tsps kosher salt
• Juice and zest of 1 lemon
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• 1 pinch cinnamon

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Instructions

1. Grill Preparation: Configure grill for indirect heat – arrange charcoal on one side or set gas grill to medium-high temperature on a single zone.
2. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Whisk flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and ground cinnamon together until completely integrated.
3. Liquid Ingredient Harmonization: Blend eggs, whole milk, extra virgin olive oil, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, lemon juice, and lemon zest into a silky, uniform mixture.
4. Batter Creation: Delicately fold dry ingredients into liquid mixture, stirring until just combined with no visible flour streaks.
5. Butter Transformation: Position Dutch oven on grill, melt unsalted butter until golden brown with a rich, nutty essence.
6. Caramelization Process: Mix brown sugar into browned butter, creating a texture resembling damp sand.
7. Lemon Arrangement: Remove Dutch oven from direct heat, strategically layer thin lemon slices in an elegant, overlapping design.
8. Baking Technique: Pour batter evenly over lemon slices, then close grill lid and bake for 50-60 minutes until a wooden skewer emerges clean.
9. Cooling and Presentation: Rest cake for 5 minutes post-heat, then invert onto serving platter, revealing beautifully caramelized lemon topping.
10. Whipped Cream Finale: Chill glass jar, pour heavy cream, add powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Shake vigorously for 5 minutes to create luxurious whipped cream. Slice cake into 8 portions and accompany with freshly whipped cream.

Notes

• Master Grill Temperature: Indirect heat is crucial for even baking, preventing burnt edges and ensuring a perfectly cooked cake with golden-brown surface.
• Whisk Wet and Dry Separately: Combining ingredients in separate bowls prevents overmixing, which can lead to a dense, tough cake texture.
• Brown Butter Technique: Browning butter adds deep, nutty flavor and enhances the overall complexity of the dessert’s taste profile.
• Lemon Slice Placement: Carefully overlapping lemon slices creates a stunning visual presentation and infuses the cake with bright, citrusy essence.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 45 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 32 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 58 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg