Plum Blueberry Upside-down Cake

I always get so excited when my new Everyday Food issue arrives in the mail. I decided to devote this week to recipes in the issue. To kick off the week, I am making a plum blueberry upside-down cake since we are having company today.

Slightly altered from Page 102 September Issue:

10 tblsp unsalted butter, room temp, plus more for pan

1 c light brown sugar

1 ripe black plum, cut into 1/2 in wedges

1 package of fresh blueberries

1 large egg plus 1 large egg white

1 tblsp finely grated orange zest

1 1/2 c all-purpose flour

1 tsp poppy seeds

3/4 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp fine salt

1/2 c whole milk

1 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat 375. Lightly butter an 8-in round cake pan; line bottom with parchment paper. Melt 2 tblsp butter and pour into pan; use a brush to coat paper. Sprinkle 1/2 c brown sugar evenly over butter. Arrange plum evenly in pan, then add blueberries, filling any gaps.

Beat 8 tblsp butter & 1/2 c brown sugar on high about 3 min. Beat in egg, egg white, and orange zest until combined. In another bowl, whisk together flour, poppy seeds, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. With mixer on low, beat flour mixture into butter mixture until combined. Beat in whole milk and vanilla until smooth.

Transfer batter to pan and tap firmly on counter several times to remove air bubbles (note I did this 10 times and it wasn't enough cause my cake cracked); smooth top.

Bake until cake is deep golden brown, juices bubbling around edge, and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, about 40 minutes. Let cake cool 1 hour in pan on wire rack. Run a knife around edge of pan and invert cake onto a serving plate. Serve warm or at room temp. (Store, covered, at room temp, up to 2 days).

I served this warm with Caribou coffee. It was a wonderful mid-afternoon treat. This would be good for a tea party or after dinner with company. Not too sweet. Like my orange poppy seed scones, the orange zest and poppy seeds position this cake from a boring box mix to a yummy homemade treat!