Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

Here’s a classic and delicious Pineapple Upside-Down Cake recipe — sweet, buttery, and beautifully caramelized with pineapples and cherries on top (which becomes the bottom during baking!). 🍍🍰

🍍 Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

Ingredients

Topping:

• 1/4 cup (4 tbsp) unsalted butter, melted

• 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed

• 7–9 slices canned pineapple rings, drained

• Maraschino cherries (optional, for center of each pineapple ring)

Cake:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened

• 2/3 cup granulated sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1/2 cup buttermilk (or milk + 1/2 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar)

• 1/4 cup pineapple juice (reserved from the can)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan or 9×2-inch square pan.

2. Make the topping:

   • Pour melted butter into the bottom of the cake pan.

   • Sprinkle brown sugar evenly over the butter.

   • Arrange pineapple slices over the sugar. Place a cherry in the center of each ring if using.

3. Make the cake batter:

   • In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

   • In a large bowl, beat together butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).

   • Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Stir in vanilla.

   • Mix in the dry ingredients alternately with buttermilk and pineapple juice, beginning and ending with dry. Mix just until combined.

4. Assemble and bake:

   • Carefully spoon the batter over the pineapple layer and smooth the top.

   • Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

5. Cool and flip:

   • Let cake cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes, then run a knife around the edges.

   • Place a plate or cake stand over the pan and carefully invert the cake onto it.

   • Let it sit a few minutes to allow the topping to release.

6. Serve warm or room temp — with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence!

✅ Tips

• Use fresh pineapple if you prefer, but canned works great and provides juice.

• Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the cake batter for a warm twist.

• Don’t let the cake cool completely in the pan, or the topping may stick.