Description
Make a moist, classic pineapple upside down cake using a simple topping method that prevents sticking.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 (20 ounce) can pineapple slices in juice, drained (reserve juice)
- 14 maraschino cherries, stems removed
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup reserved pineapple juice
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- In a 9-inch round cake pan (cast iron works well), melt 1/2 cup of butter over low heat on the stovetop or in the oven.
- Remove the pan from the heat. Sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over the melted butter.
- Arrange the pineapple slices on top of the sugar mixture. Place one cherry in the center of each pineapple ring and scatter any remaining cherries around the edges.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream together the 1/2 cup softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the milk and the reserved pineapple juice.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Carefully pour the batter over the pineapple and cherry layer in the pan, spreading it gently to cover the fruit evenly.
- Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes.
- Place a serving plate upside down over the cake pan. Carefully invert the cake onto the plate. Lift the pan away slowly. If any topping sticks, gently place the fruit back onto the cake.
Notes
- For best results, use pineapple slices packed in juice, not syrup.
- If you do not have maraschino cherries, you can omit them.
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream for a traditional presentation.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 45 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 35
- Sodium: 250
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 11
- Unsaturated Fat: 7
- Trans Fat: 0.5
- Carbohydrates: 53
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 4
- Cholesterol: 95