2ounces (56g)dark chocolate(chopped into small shavings)
Instructions
Make the caramel:
Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Lightly grease an 8-inch round cake pan. Set aside.
Melt 4 tablespoons (57g) butter in a small pot over medium heat. Once melted, add ½ cup (100g) light brown sugar. Stir to combine. Cook over medium heat for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sugar blends into the butter and the mixture darkens slightly in color.
Reduce the heat to low and add 2 tablespoons (30g) maraschino cherry syrup. Whisk until smooth and simmer for 1 minute. Turn off the heat.
Pour the mixture into the prepared cake pan and smooth it into an even layer.
Assemble cherries:
Combine halved cherries and 1 tablespoon (7g) cornstarch in a bowl. Carefully arrange them cut-side down in the hot caramel in tight concentric circles. Transfer to the freezer for 15 minutes as you prepare the cake batter.
Make the batter:
Sift 1¼ cups (150g) all-purpose flour, 1½ teaspoons baking powder, and ¼ teaspoon kosher salt into a small bowl. Set aside.
Add 4 tablespoons (57g) room-temperature butter and ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar to a large bowl. Use an electric hand mixer to cream them together. Add 1 egg and 2 tablespoons (32g) pistachio cream and beat until smooth. Add 1 teaspoon pistachio flavoring, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1 drop of green food coloring. Beat until the food coloring is completely incorporated into the mixture and the batter is smooth.
Add half the sifted dry ingredients and beat with the mixer until just combined. Add ½ cup (120g) whole milk and beat until just combined. Add the remaining dry ingredients and beat until just combined. Don’t overmix! Fold in the shaved dark chocolate.
Assemble the cake:
Remove the cake pan from the freezer. Pour the batter on top and smooth into an even layer.
Bake the upside-down cake:
Transfer the cake to the oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Let the cake stand at room temperature for 30 to 60 minutes. The cake should still be warm to the touch.
Flip the cake:
Place a large plate over the cake pan and carefully invert the cake onto the plate.
To serve:
Slice the cake and serve it with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, if desired, though it’s delicious with no accompaniments.