Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Published Apr 30, 2019
Updated Jun 02, 2023
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This Pineapple Upside Down Cake has my love. A delicious cake with sweet juicy pineapples. It is a show-stopper! This is the cake to make for all the parties! It is great to make ahead.
My girls and I LOVE this Pineapple Upside Down Cake! They rejoice whenever I make it. I love upside cakes. The fruity base that gets turned upside down is pretty to look at and adds a great layer of flavor to the cake.
Pineapple Upside Down Cake From Scratch
Years ago, I learned about Pineapple Upside Down Cake in my Food and Nutrition class in secondary school. I was always fascinated by the name – “upside down”. It sounded funny to me that food will be called upside down.
But turning the cake to reveal the fruit-topped cake is perhaps my favorite part of making this cake. The fruit is glistening and it invites me to take a slice (or 2). And you know, I cannot resist.
My Pineapple Upside Down Cake is not overly sweet. Growing up in Cameroon, I rarely ate things that were so sweet that they made my teeth hurt. The cake is moderately sweet which is just right for me.
Table of Contents
The Ingredients
Fresh Pineapple: I use fresh super-ripe pineapple in this recipe. Listen: you want to make sure you use a fresh pineapple. Not just a fresh pineapple but one that is slightly overripe.
This results in a rich sweet pineapple flavor that is to die for. And by using fresh sweet pineapple, you do not need to add loads of sugar to your cake.
But if you can’t get fresh pineapple or you are short on time or you just want canned pineapple, go for it. You are still winning in life.
Shredded Coconut: I also add a little bit of shredded coconut to my Pineapple Upside Down Cake. The coconut just gives the cake a tropical vibe. The coconut is very little so it is not all over the place but it is a little surprise here and there as you dig into the cake.
This cake is a great dessert obviously but we also eat it for breakfast. It has fruit so it is healthy, right?
Maraschino Cherries without stems are added between the pineapple slices. This gives the Pineapple Upside Down Cake its signature look.
Here is everything you need:
How To Make Pineapple Upside Down Cake
1. Melt butter and sugar together then use then spread the mixture in a 9 inch round baking pan.
2. Arrange pineapple slices on the bottom of the pan then add some maraschino cherries. I fit in as many cherries as I can in the empty spaces I see.
3. Make the batter then pour the batter into the prepared pan.
4. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
5. Let the cake cool for a few minutes then turn onto a plate.
Also, check out this recipe for Pineapple Upside Down Pound Cake.
Important Tip for the Perfect Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Use fresh pineapples! I have found that using fresh pineapples yields the most flavor. I leave my pineapple to ripen further for a few days before using it. This yields a deep fruity flavor and that way, I do not have to add too much sugar to my cake.
I have tried using pineapple from the can and honestly, it is pale in flavor compared to fresh pineapple. So use fresh pineapple if you can and you will be glad you did.
More Easy Cake Recipes
More Recipes To Make With Pineapples
Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Ingredients
For coating bottom of pan
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (28g)
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (12g)
- 1 1/2 cups pineapple wedges (from about half a medium pineapple) about a quarter inch thick slices
- 20 maraschino cherries
For cake batter
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter (113.4g) softened at room temperature
- Half cup granulated sugar (100g)
- Half cup whole liquid milk (120ml) substitute with evaporated milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (plain flour) – 180g
- Half teaspoon salt
- Half teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 cup sweetened shredded coconut (25g)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Butter a 9 inch round baking pan.
- Melt together the 2 tablespoons of butter and 1 tablespoon of sugar in the microwave for about 20 seconds. Mix together well then pour into the baking pan and spread to ensure the mixture coats the bottom of the pan.
- Arrange the pineapple slices and cherries on the bottom of the pan.
- Cream together butter and sugar for about 2 minutes with a hand mixer or by hand until fluffy.
- Add the milk and vanilla then mix until combined. Add the eggs one at a time mixing each time until just combined.
- Add the flour, baking powder and salt then mix until just combined. Add the shredded coconut and mix until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan. Spread to ensure it is evenly distributed around the pan.
- Place in preheated oven and bake for about 35 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the middle of a cake comes out clean.
Notes
Nutrition
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Hi Precious
This sounds so good and not too much sugar sounds good too . I was wondering if l can use crushed canned pineapple in its own juice for this cake and how much should l use?
Do l drain the canned pineapple? Thank you in advance and for your recipes! ๐
Hi Jo, crushed pineapple won’t work in this recipe. You could get canned pineapple slices instead and drain them before using. Hope that helps.
You are a good cook . Thanks for all your recipes at least they are helping hands.
Your instructions on baking pineapple upside down are not very clear. Do you bake the cake separately and then pour the prepared butter/sugar/pineapple wedges on top?
You place the pineapple wedges in the baking pan then place the cake batter on top. You bake the cake with the pineapple at the bottom.