Classic Pineapple Upside Down Cake has that delicious brown sugar, buttery, pineapple topping that bakes up a little crisp and gooey. The flavor from the fruit the intermingling with brown sugar is this classic recipe needs to be the star the dessert table!
The person who created the Pineapple Upside Down Cake was a very smart person indeed! It is, in my opinion, by far one of the prettiest cakes you can make as well as one of the tastiest! It is also my Dad's favorite cake and one I would make him often for his birthday.
Why I make Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Growing up, we always knew that Dad's favorite cake was a Pineapple Upside Down Cake. This classic recipe for Pineapple Upside Down Cake is not fancy with frosting or layers of cake with decorations. It's your basic yellow cake with fruit and buttery brown sugar. No whipped cream needed, although I will not judge you if you add whipped cream! Rather I would likely adore you!
This cake is not only fruity, but the homemade texture is very pleasing to your senses, making it a comfort food. It is perfect for any special occasion or just because! Simple to make, budget friendly and just plain delicious!
What you might like to know about Pineapple Upside Down Cake!
It is a cake baked in a single pan with the toppings on the bottom of the cake pan. When removed from the oven, you flip the cake over onto a serving platter, where the toppings on the bottom become the top of the cake!
Make sure you butter the entire sides of the pan well. There should be plenty of butter in the bottom of the pan from the butter you will add for the brown sugar topping part of the recipe. Before flipping the cake upside down, run a butter knife along the edge of the pan to make sure no cake parts have stuck to the side.
You want to allow the cake to cool before flipping. I like to wait at least 15 minutes. That way it is not too hot to flip. And, I like it to still be slightly warm to be sure all the topping will come out with it and not stick to the bottom.
How to make Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Time needed: 50 minutes.
A classic recipe with a brown sugar and fruit "topping"
- Mix together ingredients for "topping" in cake pan.
Melt butter and pour in bottom of cake pan.
- Arrange Pineapple
Place pineapple rings over top of brown sugar mixture, arranging cherries in the center of each ring.
- Combine cake ingredients
Gather your cake ingredients and combine as per recipe card.
- Spoon batter over pineapple rings in cake pan.
Spoon the batter over pineapple and cherries in cake pan and smooth out top.
- Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.
When cake is done, remove from oven and let cool 5-10 minutes.
- Serve warm!
Enjoy
You may need
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I highly recommend the Wilton Perfect Results 9" cake pan. They are my favorite cake pans and I use them for recipes like this Pineapple Upside Down Cake as well as my favorite Blueberry Coffee Cake!
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Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- ⅓ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon water
- 8 pineapple rings
- 4 maraschino cherries halved
- 1-½ cups all purpose flour
- ⅔ cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅔ cup milk
- ¼ cup unsalted butter very soft
- 1 egg
Instructions
- Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees.
- Melt butter and pour in bottom of 9 inch round cake pan.Sprinkle with brown sugar and 1 tablespoon water. Stir to combine, then spread over entire bottom of pan.
- Place pineapple rings in pan over top of brown sugar mixture. Place ½ of cherry, cut side up, in center of each pineapple ring.
- In large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Stir to combine. Add water, egg, and softened butter. Mix on low speed until combined. Mix another minute on medium speed, until batter is smooth.
- Spoon batter over the fruit in prepared pan. Bake 30-35 minutes or until wooden toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack for 5 minutes. Loosen cake from pan and invert onto serving plate. Serve warm.
Liz
One of MY dad's favorites, too! This brings back such memories. My mom would make it with the cherries, too 🙂
Kimberlie Robert
From the zinc mines to a dairy farm. Wow. That deserves pineapple upside down cake. I haven't had it in years and your post makes me crave it. Yours is a lovely post and I'm happy I stopped by. Thanks.
Monica
This is gorgeous and it brings back such memories. My Grandmother made this and it was always a family favorite. I've never tried it but you make it look so easy I'm going to take the plunge!
CrazedMomDOTcom
Every time I make a pineapple upside down cake, it's a huge mess. YOURS is gorgeous and looks like it holds together so much better. I need to try this. Plus your photos are gorgeous. I want to lick the screen! haha
Carlee
Now I am absolutely craving some pineapple upside down cake! Mmm!
Caroline
This is the soft of thing my dad would like too - looks great!
Jennifer
Pineapple Upside-down Cake is my dad's favorite too! I haven't had one in years and this one looks wonderful! Also, thank you so much for hosting!
Renee @ReneesKitchenAdventures
The perfect classic recipe! How cool is it that your dad operated a dairy farm!
Hezzi-D
I love Pineapple Upside Down Cake! This looks delicious!
Wendy, A Day in the Life on the Farm
Pineapple Upside Down Cake is one of my very faves.