Pineapple Upside Down Cake
A nostalgic classic, this pineapple upside down cake features sweet caramelized pineapple and a moist, buttery cake, perfect for family gatherings and celebrations.
Ingredients
For the Topping
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1 can (20 ounces) sliced pineapple in juice (drained, reserving juice)
- 10-12 pieces maraschino cherries for garnish
For the Cake
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice (from drained pineapple)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your baking dish.
- In a 9-inch round cake pan, melt 1/4 cup of unsalted butter over low heat. Once melted, sprinkle in the 1 cup of light brown sugar evenly across the butter. Remove from heat and arrange the drained pineapple slices over the sugar, placing a maraschino cherry in the center of each pineapple slice.
Mixing the Cake Batter
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together 1/2 cup of softened unsalted butter and 1 cup of granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add in the 2 large eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Then, pour in the 1/2 cup of pineapple juice and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter and sugar mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined.
Baking
- Carefully pour the batter over the pineapple topping in the cake pan, spreading it gently for an even layer.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cooling and Serving
- Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, carefully invert the cake onto a plate.
- Slice the cake while still warm and serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
Notes
Use fresh pineapple for better flavor and ensure ingredients are at room temperature for a smoother batter. Avoid overmixing the batter to prevent a dense cake.