Easy Pineapple Upside Down Cake - The Recipe Rebel (2024)

Easy Pineapple Upside Down Cake - The Recipe Rebel (1)written by Ashley Fehr

4.84 from 6 votes

Prep Time 15 mins

Total Time 35 mins

Servings 8 servings

Jump to Recipe

Published on April 22, 2020 / Last updated on May 19, 2020

This easy Pineapple Upside Down Cake from scratch is made with one bowl and a whisk! It is warm and gooey and perfect with a scoop of ice cream!

Easy Pineapple Upside Down Cake - The Recipe Rebel (2)
Table of Contents
  1. Variations on this Easy Pineapple Upside Down Cake recipe:
  2. How to make a Pineapple Upside Down Cake:
  3. How to store Pineapple Upside Down Cake:
  4. More pineapple desserts you’ll love:
  5. Easy Pineapple Upside Down Cake Recipe

This recipe was shared first on Spend With Pennies.

Don’t tell anyone, but I’ll take a warm fruit dessert with ice cream (Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp,Berry Cherry CrisporSlow Cooker Caramel Apple Pudding Cakewill suit me just fine!) over chocolate any day.

I feel like that must mean I’m getting old 😉

This Pineapple Upside Down Cake is based off of my Apple Upside Down Cake recipe, with the same classic, moist vanilla 8-9″ cake serving as the base.

It’s a simple stir and pour cake batter, which makes this Pineapple Upside Down Cake very quick and easy to throw together!

Variations on this Easy Pineapple Upside Down Cake recipe:

  • You can use almost any fruit in this Pineapple Upside Down Cake! Apples, berries, cranberries, bananas — so don’t be afraid to mix things up!
  • Since pineapple and coconut is one of the best combos there is, how about a coconut twist? Stir some shredded coconut into the batter, or sprinkle it into the butter before adding your fruit. You could also add a bit of coconut extract to the batter!
  • You can use fresh pineapple instead of canned if that’s all you have on hand. I prefer canned pineapple slices, only because they are uniform in thickness and don’t add as much moisture to the cake as it bakes.
Easy Pineapple Upside Down Cake - The Recipe Rebel (3)

How to make a Pineapple Upside Down Cake:

This Pineapple Upside Down Cake is made completely from scratch, but I promise you it’s worth it and it really doesn’t take much extra effort!

The cake base recipe is made with only a bowl and a whisk, so there’s no mixer needed and you can stir it together as quickly as you can a boxed cake mix!

  1. Place your melted butter and brown sugar in the bottom of a 9″ round cake pan (you can also use a pie plate, which works just as well, or a square pan, it will just have a less traditional look).
  2. Place your pineapple slices and cherries in the bottom of the pan. Just fit in as many pineapple slices as you can and fill in the rest with cherries — as many as your heart desires!
  3. Spread your batter over the pineapple, being careful not to mess up your beautiful design!
  4. Bake until light golden brown, then place a large plate over your pan and flip!

How to store Pineapple Upside Down Cake:

You can store Pineapple Upside Down Cake at room temperature for several hours if you are serving soon after baking.

I recommend refrigerating the cake if you are not serving within a few hours, as the fruit and the extra moisture in the cake means that it will not last as long as regular cake and buttercream.

Easy Pineapple Upside Down Cake - The Recipe Rebel (4)

To make this cake ahead, you have two options:

  • You can prepare up to the point of baking, then cover and refrigerate up to 2 days before baking.
  • You can prepare and bake completely, but leave it in the pan. Cool to room temperature, cover and refrigerate for 3 days or freeze up to 3 days. To serve, thaw (if frozen), and warm in a 300 degree oven for 15-20 minutes just until heated through. Flip and serve.

More pineapple desserts you’ll love:

Easy Pineapple Upside Down Cake - The Recipe Rebel (5)

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Easy Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Easy Pineapple Upside Down Cake - The Recipe Rebel (6)written by Ashley Fehr

4.84 from 6 votes

This easy Pineapple Upside Down Cake from scratch is made with one bowl and a whisk! It is warm and gooey and perfect with a scoop of ice cream!

Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 20 mins

Total Time 35 mins

Cuisine American

Course Dessert

Servings 8 servings

Calories 352cal

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar (70g)
  • 6-7 slices pineapple
  • 5 maraschino cherries

Cake

  • 1/4 cup oil
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar (70g)
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 cup all purpose flour (125g)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  • Place butter in pan or pie plate and put in the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, allowing the butter to melt in the pan while warming.

  • Remove the pan from the oven once the butter has melted. Stir in brown sugar (you can do this right in the pan!).

  • Arrange pineapple slices and cherries on top of the butter mixture, as much or as little as you like.

Cake

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together oil and sugar.

  • Add applesauce, egg, and vanilla and whisk until combined.

  • Add flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt and stir just until combined. Spread carefully over pineapple in pan, making sure not to disturb the cherries as you spread the batter.

  • Bake for 20-25 minutes, until top of the cake is golden brown. Let cool for 5 minutes in the pan before running a knife carefully around the edge.

  • Place a large round plate on top of the pan, flip and allow the cake to fall out onto the plate before removing the pan.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 352cal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 51mg | Sodium: 258mg | Potassium: 182mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 29g | Vitamin A: 421IU | Vitamin C: 30mg | Calcium: 57mg | Iron: 1mg

Keywords pineapple upside down cake

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Easy Pineapple Upside Down Cake - The Recipe Rebel (8)

Meet Ashley

My name is Ashley Fehr and I love creating easy meals my family loves. I also like to do things my way, which means improvising and breaking the rules when necessary. Here you will find creative twists on old favorites and some of my favorite family recipes, passed down from generations!

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Comments

  1. Mary says

    This is quick, easy and delicious! I’ve made it about 4 times and each time it is great. I’m getting ready to make another right now!

    Reply

  2. verna k kresse says

    cake was awful!!!!!! What a waste of ingredients. The cake was about 1/4 inch thick and the topping overwhelmed the cake. I followed the recipe to the letter and reread it after I saw the results. I don’t reccomend it and wont make it again. I guess this mess will make a good ice cream topping.

    Reply

    • The Recipe Rebel says

      I’m sorry to hear that you had trouble with this recipe, Verna. It’s hard to know what went wrong without being in the kitchen with you. Myself and others have enjoyed it, so it wished it would of been a hit!

      Reply

  3. Sarah Skeeters says

    This was so, so easy to make! The kids and I loved it. We’ll definitely be trying this with peaches this summer.

    Reply

  4. Cheryl Kehler says

    I made this tonight for dessert and the cake batter was almost completely raw!! What did I do wrong?

    Reply

    • Ashley Fehr says

      I’m sorry to hear that Cheryl! I’m not sure how it could be raw after baking. If a smaller pan was used, you may need to bake a little longer, but it shouldn’t require more than a few extra minutes

      Reply

  5. Jessica Formicola says

    I made this cake yesterday and it turned out perfectly! There’s almost none left today because everyone enjoyed it so much!

    Reply

  6. Chelsea says

    This was sooo delicious and so quick and easy! We are obsessed! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  7. Chrissy says

    I’ve had some extra canned pineapple lying around so I was searching for a good cake to make – this one was delicious. We’re not fans of maraschino cherries so we left those off, but otherwise made as is! Yum.

    Reply

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Easy Pineapple Upside Down Cake - The Recipe Rebel (2024)

FAQs

Can you make Pineapple Upside Down Cake the night before? ›

Like most cakes, pineapple upside-down cakes can be made in advance. Warm the cake slightly after it's been refrigerated or frozen and it will taste like it was made the same day!

How do you cook Omaha Steaks Pineapple Upside Down Cake? ›

Microwave (1100 Watt): Remove cake from box and plastic film. Place cake right side up in its cup on a microwave safe plate. Microwave on high for 55 seconds. Immediately invert cake on serving plate.

What can I substitute for cherries in Pineapple Upside Down Cake? ›

Pineapple – Canned rings. You can use a fresh pineapple, cored, and sliced into rings. Maraschino cherries – You can use fresh pitted cherries or bourbon if you don't like maraschino.

What is Pineapple Upside Down Cake made of? ›

Pineapple upside down cake is composed of a topping of pineapple, butter and brown sugar with a vanilla cake batter poured over. After baking, you invert the cake onto a plate for a beautiful final product with caramelized pineapple on top!

Should you use parchment paper when baking a pineapple upside down cake? ›

To get the goo to stay where you want it and not impede the release of the cake, line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper or a silicone cake-pan liner after you grease the pan. That should allow easy removal, and then you can peel the paper off of the cake.

How many hours is needed to rest the dried pineapple in tray? ›

Pineapple pieces, especially canned pieces or those pre-treated with a sugar solution, will stick to the drying trays. Peel off sheets while still warm from the dehydrator. Let rest on tray for 2 hours to ensure pieces cool thoroughly.

When should I flip my cake upside down? ›

Let the cake cool, but not completely.

Before you flip the cake upside-down, let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes to let it finish setting up. However, don't let it cool completely or it won't come cleanly out of the pan.

Can I use pineapple juice instead of water in a box cake mix? ›

Use pineapple juice to make a cake from a boxed mix.

Simply replace the oil, milk, or water called for in the recipe with pineapple juice in equal proportions. A yellow or white cake works best, since the pineapple flavor could clash or get lost if you use chocolate or another flavor.

Can I use canned pineapple instead of fresh? ›

In many cases, canned pineapple can be substituted for fresh pineapple (and vice versa) in equal measure, which is good to know when you only need a small amount of pineapple for a recipe.

Why is my pineapple cake bitter? ›

Pineapple contains active enzymes that can derail some recipes. For example, if you cook the fruit with milk or cream, the mixture will become bitter. You can avoid this by just pre-cooking the pineapple and then adding it to the cream/milk recipe.

What is the pineapple secret? ›

On a cruise ship, the secret symbol of an upside-down pineapple is regularly used as a code for swinging or “wife-swapping”. In most cases, an illustrated and upside-down pineapple is fixed to the cabin door of a guest interested in swinging and partner swapping.

Why do we soak meat in pineapple? ›

However, what many people do not know is pineapple has an enzyme called bromelain that softens muscle fiber. This enzyme reacts with the protein in the meat to break it down and increases the meat's potential to absorb more moisture. This is the reason why pineapple is one of the most preferred tenderizers.

What happens if you leave pineapple out overnight? ›

An uncut, whole pineapple is fine to sit on the counter for about 2 days. Beyond that, it'll really start to soften and or even ferment.

Can dogs eat pineapple? ›

Yes. Raw pineapple, in small amounts, is an excellent snack for dogs. Canned pineapple, on the other hand, should be avoided. The syrup in canned fruits contains too much sugar for most dogs' digestive tracts to handle.

Does soaking pineapple in salt water? ›

Salt triggers bromelain to begin working, so by the time the pineapple reaches your mouth, the enzyme has been inactivated, says Tunick. Dipping fresh pineapple briefly in a saltwater solution is the best way to maximize contact between salt and bromelain.

Is it better to put a cake in the fridge or leave it out? ›

Should You Refrigerate Cake? You should avoid refrigeration in most cases. Unless your cake features perishable materials that could spoil—like cream frosting, fresh fruit, ice cream, mascarpone, or whipped cream—it's actually better off at room temperature.

Do you Place cake layers upside down? ›

When adding your top layer, flip it upside down (so that the bottom of the cake layer is the top). By adding it cut-side down, it greatly reduces the amount of loose crumbs that end up in your crumb coat and final cake finish.

Should you place your cake in the refrigerator before the second coat? ›

"Prepare, bake, and cool the cake completely. Then, wrap each cake layer in cling film, nice and tight, and place in the fridge for at least two hours," he says. That's right, you won't be frosting your cake at room temperature; a chilled cake is essential before applying any frosting. "This step is the most important.

What does adding milk instead of water do to cake? ›

Milk: Add MILK, not water, when your box mix calls for liquid. The milk adds density, fat and, most importantly, extra flavor to your mix.

Can I use the juice from canned pineapple? ›

You'll definitely enjoy the juice as much as the pineapple itself. Pineapple juice straight out of the can have a strong taste. But once you dilute it with an equal amount of water, it makes a tasty drink. Serving chilled is recommended.

What makes a cake moist? ›

Making a moist cake starts with the cake mix. If a recipe calls for all-purpose flour, opt for cake flour instead to create a more moist, tender crumb. Additions like sour cream, buttermilk, or applesauce can also infuse moisture and prevent a dry cake.

Should you refrigerate pineapple upside down cake? ›

Pineapple upside down cake is going to be able to stay good for three days so long as you are refrigerating it properly. Ideally, you should make this cake only one day before your event so that it will be fresh and delicious.

Is pineapple good for your stomach? ›

Good for Digestion

Pineapples are the only known food source of bromelain, a combination of enzymes that digest protein. That's why pineapple works as a meat tenderizer: The bromelain breaks down the protein and softens the meat. In your body, bromelain makes it easier for you to digest food and absorb it.

Is pineapple an anti-inflammatory? ›

Pineapple has been used for centuries in Central and South America to treat indigestion and reduce inflammation. Bromelain, which is derived from the stem and juice of the pineapple, was first isolated from the pineapple plant in the late 1800s.

How do you store a pineapple upside down cake overnight? ›

Storage Instructions: To store pineapple upside down cake you can put it in the refrigerator. To make sure the pineapple and cherries don't stick to your plastic wrap, stick toothpicks around the edges and in the middle. Once you've done that, wrap both the cake and its plate loosely in the plastic wrap.

Can you prepare pineapple in advance? ›

Once trimmed and cut, be sure the pineapple is covered in juice in an airtight container, refrigerate and use within five to seven days. Let the fruit return to room temperature before eating to improve flavor. Freshly cut pineapple can be frozen in juice or syrup, but it will lose some flavor.

Will pineapple turn brown overnight? ›

Cut pineapple should be kept refrigerated. The fruit chunks will oxidize and start to turn brown, though they'll still be perfectly edible. To stave off that browning, Crane suggests splashing orange juice over the cut fruit.

How long can you keep pineapple upside down cake? ›

Making Ahead and Storing

Make Ahead: Pineapple upside down cake can be made ahead of time. You can store it at room temperature for 1-2 days, in the fridge for a few days or even freeze it for a couple months.

What is the best way to flip a pineapple upside down cake? ›

Run a knife around the edges of the cake, then invert a serving plate on top of the pan. In one quick motion, flip the cake upside-down. Let the cake sit like this on the plate, but still inside the pan, for a few minutes. Gravity will help the cake release in one piece.

Should pineapple upside down cake be served cold? ›

Do You Eat Pineapple Upside Down Cake Warm? This soft, simple dessert can be served warm or cold. Either way, the pineapple flavor will be light and tasty. If you serve it warm, top it with vanilla ice cream for amazing combination.

Why did my pineapple upside down cake sink in the middle? ›

The most common reason why cakes sink in the middle is that they're underbaked. What is this? If a cake isn't fully baked through, the center doesn't have a chance to set and it will sink. This creates a doughy, dense texture in the center of your cake layer.

Why do you soak pineapple in salt water? ›

According to Dr Choi, salt helps inactivate the bromelain enzymes, and even adding a small amount of salt can enhance the fruit's sweetness making it even more delicious, she said. How to add salt? *Soak for around one minute and enjoy!

Do you rinse pineapple after cutting it? ›

Because your knife touches both the shell and the flesh, it's good to make sure that the shell is nice and clean. We wouldn't worry too much about washing it with soap, though – a good rinse under running water should be just fine!

Can you eat 3 day old pineapple? ›

The fruit lasts two to three days maximum at room temperature. You can keep it fresh for longer in the fridge, but only about four to five days (via eHow). So there's a possibility that your pineapple has spoiled if you've had it for longer than its typical expiration date.

Why is my pineapple turning black? ›

Black rot of pineapple, is a post-harvest disease. It is also known as water blister, soft rot or water rot. Penetration of a fungus inside cells occurs through wounds and stem cutting, causing infection. Fruit may be bruised or wounded during picking, packing, storage and transportation.

How long does an uncut pineapple last in the fridge? ›

An uncut, ripe pineapple will last for around three days on the countertop before it becomes inedible. You can extend the life of your uncut pineapple by an extra three days if you keep it in the fridge. Trimmed and cut pineapple keeps for five to seven days when you store it in an airtight container in your fridge.

How long should a pineapple be upside down before cutting? ›

Since pineapples are stored stem side up, gravity makes the juices run to the bottom. Resting the pineapple upside down for 30 minutes helps the juices to run back down and distribute for evenly juicy pieces. After 30 minutes, cut off the other end of the pineapple.

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