This is a classic pineapple upside down cake with a vanilla cake base topped with pineapple slices and maraschino cherries smothered in caramel sauce.
Pineapple Upside Down Cake
This classic pineapple upside down cake is deliciously addictive! It's baked with the pineapple layer on the bottom of the pan and the cake layer on top. Once it has baked and cooled, the entire cake is flipped over to show the most beautiful pineapple cherry decoration.
Recipe Ingredients
Topping Layer:
- ½ cup butter
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 18 oz can pineapple rings - in pineapple juice drained (save the juice) I used 12 slices
- 10-14 maraschino cherries for decoration - for decoration (I used 12)
Cake Layer:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter - softened to room temp
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup dark brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup whole milk
- ½ cup pineapple juice - saved from the canned pineapple
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Kitchen Equipment Used
- 9x13 Baking dish
- Baking Sheet - I use a white large baking sheet to serve the cake on.
- Hand Mixer - I have this Kitchenaid 5 Ultra Power Speed Hand Mixer.
- Mixing bowls
- Spatula
- Measuring spoons and cups - this magnetic set sticks together in the drawer to keep organized.
How To Make Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Full ingredients and instructions are also in the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post.
STEP 1: Heat ½ cup unsalted butter and ¾ cup brown sugar in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until butter melts and sugar dissolves.
STEP 2: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Pour the melted caramel sauce into the pan and spread evenly using a spatula.
STEP 3: Arrange the pineapple slices into rows, starting with the middle row first then adding pineapple slices around it. Add one maraschino cherry into the center of each pineapple slice. You can also add more cherries in other open spaces between the pineapple if you'd like.
STEP 4: In a medium bowl, mix together the dry ingredients including 2 cups all purpose flour, 2 tsp baking powder and ¼ tsp salt.
STEP 5: In a separate large bowl, add the ½ cup unsalted butter, ½ cup granulated sugar and ¼ cup dark brown sugar. Use a hand mixer to mix the ingredients until creamy.
STEP 6: Add one large egg and mix together. Add the second large egg and combine until smooth and creamy.
STEP 7: Now add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients bowl and mix until just combined. Next, add ½ cup milk and mix it all together.
STEP 8: Add ½ cup pineapple juice (saved from the canned pineapple) and 1 tsp vanilla extract and mix until just combined. This will create the cake batter.
STEP 9: Gently smooth the cake batter over top of the pineapple slices in the baking dish. Use a spatula to smooth it into an even layer. Place in the oven to bake for 30-35 minutes or until the edges are golden and a toothpick comes out clean when poked through the cake.
STEP 10: Let the cake cool for at least 1 hour in the baking dish. To invert, place a baking sheet or large cutting board over top of the pan. Using both hands holding the pan and dish together, flip them over so that the pineapple cake is now on the baking sheet. Slice around a piece of pineapple and serve.
How To Store Leftovers
- Refrigerate – Leftover cake can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
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Ingredients
Topping Layer
- ½ cup butter
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 18 oz can pineapple rings - in pineapple juice drained (save the juice) I used 12 slices
- 10-14 maraschino cherries for decoration - for decoration (I used 12)
Cake Layer
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter - softened to room temp
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup dark brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup whole milk
- ½ cup pineapple juice - saved from the canned pineapple
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Heat ½ cup unsalted butter and ¾ cup brown sugar in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until butter melts and sugar dissolves.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Pour the melted caramel sauce into the pan and spread evenly using a spatula.
- Arrange the pineapple slices into rows, starting with the middle row first then adding pineapple slices around it. Add one maraschino cherry into the center of each pineapple slice. You can also add more cherries in other open spaces between the pineapple if you’d like.
- In a medium bowl, mix together the dry ingredients including 2 cups all purpose flour, 2 tsp baking powder and ¼ tsp salt.
- In a separate large bowl, add the ½ cup unsalted butter, ½ cup granulated sugar and ¼ cup dark brown sugar. Use a hand mixer to mix the ingredients until creamy.
- Add one large egg and mix together. Add the second large egg and combine until smooth and creamy.
- Now add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients bowl and mix until just combined. Next, add ½ cup milk and mix it all together.
- Add ½ cup pineapple juice (saved from the canned pineapple) and 1 tsp vanilla extract and mix until just combined. This will create the cake batter.
- Gently smooth the cake batter over top of the pineapple slices in the baking dish. Use a spatula to smooth it into an even layer. Place in the oven to bake for 30-35 minutes or until the edges are golden and a toothpick comes out clean when poked through the cake.
- Let the cake cool for at least 1 hour in the baking dish. To invert, place a baking sheet or large cutting board over top of the pan. Using both hands holding the pan and dish together, flip them over so that the pineapple cake is now on the baking sheet. Slice around a piece of pineapple and serve.
Nutrition Info
The nutritional information provided is an estimate and is per serving.
Natalie Cioclea says
Hello please answer ASAP if you can. I need to make it today. Would it still taste good if I made it today...cooled it..and put it in the fridge? Then tomorrow, when guests come..flip it and serve? Or it won't taste the same?
Andi Anne says
Hi Natalie, It should be fine to serve tomorrow, but if possible I would flip it today and let it cool on the counter. Once completely cooled, wrap tightly and store in fridge. If you don't flip it today, the fruit may get soggy from moisture at bottom of pan.
JoAnn says
The cake turned out fantastic, and my family loved it! I especially liked that the directions included the ingredients and measurements. It made it so easy to follow.