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Put a Twist on a Classic With This Pineapple Upside Down Cake

A delicious twist on a favorite dessert.

Autumn Micketti

Aug 10, 2023

Pineapple simply screams summer. Whether it's cut into spears or wedges for easy snacking or blended in a piña colada for a weekend happy hour, pineapple's tropical flavor begs to be enjoyed when the sun is out. Let's take another step toward pineapple bliss with this twist on a pineapple upside down cake.

A mélange of melted butter and brown sugar creates a delicious caramel base for the pineapple before it's covered with vanilla cake batter and baked, to perfection, of course. Traditionally, a pineapple upside cake includes maraschino cherries nestled in between the pineapple slices before baking, but this recipe uses fresh Harry & David cherries that are added right before serving for a fruity punch. The magic comes at the end when the cake is flipped upside down (hence the cake's name!) and the decadent pineapple slices are revealed and topped with fresh cherries. 

This cake really couldn't be easier to make!


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Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Pineapple Upside Down Cake
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PREP TIME: 40 minutesCOOK TIME: 45 minutesCUSTOM TIME : 15 minutesTOTAL TIME: 1 hours 40 minutes
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Equipment
  • 1 10 inch deep dish cake pan

Ingredients
  • 5 tablespoons melted butter
  • 12 cup and ¾ cup light brown sugar (separated)
  • 6-8 slices pineapple
  • 1 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 12 teaspoon salt
  • 14 cup butter
  • 34 cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 egg
  • 3 tablespoons pineapple juice
  • For serving
  • 15-20 Harry & David cherries (cut in half with stems and pits removed)
  • Whipped cream

Instructions
    1
  • Preheat oven to 350˚ F.
  • 2
  • Pour melted butter into the bottom of a 10-inch deep-dish cake pan and sprinkle 1/2 cup brown sugar evenly over top.
  • 3
  • Arrange the pineapple slices on top of the butter mixture and up the sides, if desired. Set aside.
  • 4
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  • 5
  • In a large bowl, beat the remaining brown sugar and butter together until smooth. While stirring, slowly add the milk, vanilla, egg, and pineapple juice until combined.
  • 6
  • Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and beat until combined with no lumps.
  • 7
  • Pour the batter over the pineapple and spread evenly — some of the fruit may poke through the batter.
  • 8
  • Bake for 45 minutes or until golden brown and the top springs back when pressed with your finger.
  • 9
  • Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 5 minutes then flip it onto a plate or platter and leave the pan on the cake for 10 minutes longer.
  • 10
  • Carefully remove the cake pan and allow the cake to cool to room temperature.
  • 11
  • Top with cherries and whipped cream before serving.