Description
Sweet nostalgia meets tropical delight in this classic Pineapple Upside Down Cake, where caramelized fruit crowns a buttery, golden sponge. Generations of bakers have cherished this retro dessert that delivers pure comfort with each delectable slice you’ll savor.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Ingredients:
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Liquid Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup pineapple juice
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
Topping Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar
- 6–7 fresh pineapple rings
- Maraschino cherries
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F, ensuring a consistent temperature for even baking.
- Create the cake batter by combining flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, vanilla, eggs, and pineapple juice in a large mixing bowl. Whisk until smooth and set aside.
- Select a 9-inch cast-iron skillet and melt butter over medium heat, coating the entire surface.
- Sprinkle brown sugar into the skillet, stirring continuously until it dissolves and creates a rich caramel-like glaze, approximately 1 minute.
- Carefully arrange pineapple rings in the skillet, strategically placing a maraschino cherry in the center of each ring.
- Cook the pineapple and cherry arrangement for 2 minutes, allowing them to caramelize slightly in the butter-sugar mixture.
- Gently pour the prepared cake batter over the pineapple rings, ensuring even distribution and complete coverage.
- Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of the cake.
- Once baked, remove from the oven and allow the cake to rest for 10 minutes.
- Carefully invert the cake onto a serving plate, revealing the beautifully caramelized pineapple topping.
Notes
- Enhance caramelization by using a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet for deeper flavor and perfect browning of the pineapple topping.
- Swap fresh pineapple rings with canned for consistent texture and easier preparation, ensuring even cooking and presentation.
- Customize the recipe by adding a splash of rum or coconut extract to the batter for an exotic tropical twist that elevates the classic dessert.
- Accommodate gluten-free diets by substituting regular flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend without compromising the cake’s delicate texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 28 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 365
- Sugar: 38 g
- Sodium: 130 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg