Here is a classic, buttery, caramel-sweet Pineapple Upside-Down Cake — the vintage dessert everyone loves. 🍍🍒✨
Soft vanilla cake + caramelized pineapple topping = perfection.
🍍 Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 35–45 minutes
Pan: 9-inch round or square
⭐ Ingredients
Topping
- ¼ cup (60 g) butter
- ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar
- Pineapple rings (fresh or canned)
- Maraschino cherries (optional but classic)
Cake Batter
- 1½ cups (190 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (200 g) sugar
- 1½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup (115 g) butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup (120 ml) milk
- ¼ cup (60 ml) pineapple juice (from the can)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
⭐ Instructions
1. Prepare the Topping
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place ¼ cup butter in your cake pan and melt in the oven OR melt separately.
- Sprinkle ½ cup brown sugar evenly over the melted butter.
- Arrange pineapple rings on top of the sugar layer.
- Place cherries in the center of each ring (and any gaps).
2. Make the Cake Batter
- In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, salt.
- In another bowl, beat butter + sugar until fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time.
- Mix in milk, pineapple juice, and vanilla.
- Add dry ingredients and mix gently until smooth.
3. Assemble & Bake
- Carefully pour the batter over the pineapple layer.
- Smooth the top.
- Bake 35–45 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
4. Flip the Cake
- Let the cake cool 5 minutes—not too long or the topping will stick.
- Run a knife around the edges.
- Place a plate or cake stand on top and invert quickly but carefully.
- Lift the pan—your caramelized pineapple design will be on top!
🍍 Tips for Perfect Results
- Use room-temperature ingredients for a soft crumb.
- If using fresh pineapple, cut into rings or chunks and pat dry.
- Add ¼ tsp cinnamon to the brown sugar for a warm flavor twist.
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream for a killer dessert.
🍰 Variations
Pineapple Upside-Down Cupcakes
Bake in a muffin tin for 18–22 minutes.
Pineapple Coconut Version
Add ½ cup shredded coconut to the batter.
Pineapple Upside-Down Sheet Cake
Double the recipe for a 9×13 pan.
If you want, I can also give you a super-moist version, boxed-mix shortcut version, or pineapple upside-down cheesecake!
