Pineapple upside down cake is a sweet and tasty treat. It has juicy pineapple slices on top and soft cake underneath. When you flip it, the fruit is on top and looks really pretty.
This cake is fun to make and even more fun to eat. You only need simple ingredients like butter, sugar, eggs, and pineapple. It’s great for birthdays, holidays, or any day you want something yummy.
The sweet smell fills the kitchen while it bakes. Kids and grown-ups both love it. If you’ve never made one before, don’t worry—it’s easy. Let’s learn how to make it together!
This article dives deep into the secrets behind making the best recipe for pineapple upside down cake—whether you’re using a cast-iron skillet, a classic round pan, or experimenting with a bundt pan pineapple upside down cake recipe. Let’s get baking.
What Makes This Pineapple Upside Down Cake Recipe Better?
This isn’t your average pineapple upside-down cake recipe. What sets it apart is the rich, buttery base made completely from scratch—no shortcuts with mixes—though we’ll explore a pineapple upside down cake recipe cake mix variation later.
We also layer the bottom of the pan with thick pineapple rings and maraschino cherries that soak in a brown sugar glaze, turning candy-like when baked.
Most recipes for pineapple upside down cake tend to result in overly sweet or dry textures. This version balances sweetness with just the right amount of tang from fresh pineapple, ensuring that each bite is perfectly moist and flavorful.
If you’re into vintage desserts or retro classics, this homemade pineapple upside down cake recipe is as close to grandma’s version as you’ll get.
Key Ingredients You’ll Need (And Why They Matter)
Great baking starts with great ingredients. Here’s a look at what you’ll need and why each element matters in creating the pineapple upside down cake recipe best ever:
| Ingredient | Purpose |
| Butter | Adds richness and helps create that caramel glaze on the bottom |
| Brown Sugar | Deepens the flavor and caramelizes the pineapple perfectly |
| Canned or Fresh Pineapple | Canned is classic, but fresh pineapple upside down cake recipe takes it up a notch |
| Maraschino Cherries | Adds color contrast and sweet pops in each slice |
| All-Purpose Flour | Gives the cake structure and lightness |
| Eggs | Binds the cake and adds richness |
| Baking Powder | Helps the cake rise evenly |
| Milk or Buttermilk | Moistens the batter and keeps it tender |
| Vanilla Extract | Brings out the best flavors in the batter |
If you’re short on time, you can also try a pineapple upside down cake recipe cake mix version. Just swap the homemade batter for a good-quality yellow cake mix and prepare the topping as usual.
Let’s Talk Topping: The Pineapple Upside Down Crown
That shiny, sticky top is what makes this cake so iconic. In fact, it’s more than a topping—it’s a crown. The combination of melted butter, brown sugar, pineapple rings, and cherries caramelizes during baking, forming a luscious glaze that seeps into the sponge below.
To get that perfect golden hue and syrupy finish, make sure your pan is properly greased. Arrange the pineapple rings tightly—no large gaps—and place the cherries in the center of each ring.
If you’re going with a recipe pineapple upside down bundt cake, make sure to layer the ingredients evenly in the pan’s base so the design shows beautifully when flipped.
Overview: How to Make the Best Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Making this easy recipe for pineapple upside down cake is simple if you follow a few smart steps. First, melt the butter and brown sugar in the bottom of your baking pan.
Next, layer the pineapple slices and cherries. Then mix the cake batter separately—creaming butter and sugar, adding eggs, then alternating flour and milk until it’s smooth. Pour it gently over the fruit topping and spread evenly.
Bake until a toothpick comes out clean, then let it cool for just 10 minutes before flipping. Timing matters here—the cake must still be warm enough to release from the pan but cool enough to hold its shape.
Expect a Dense Cake – But Here’s Why That’s Good
Unlike super light sponge cakes, this recipe for a pineapple upside down cake is meant to be slightly dense. That’s because the weight of the caramelized topping pushes down on the batter as it bakes.
But don’t worry—it’s not heavy in a bad way. This density makes the texture velvety and satisfying, like a rich pound cake.
Many pineapple upside-down cake recipes aim for fluffiness and end up losing that classic, moist crumb that soaks in all the tropical flavors. Embrace the density. It’s what makes the pineapple upside down cake easy recipe taste nostalgic and indulgent.
Want to Save This Recipe?
Pin it, bookmark it, or scribble it in your favorite kitchen notebook. This is the recipe of upside down pineapple cake you’ll want to pass down for generations.
It also doubles beautifully as a base for creative spins like the pineapple upside down cake drink recipe or pineapple upside down cake cupcake recipe for parties.
Full Recipe Card: Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Ingredients
-
- ½ cup unsalted butter (plus extra for greasing pan)
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 can pineapple slices in juice (or 1½ cups fresh pineapple)
- Maraschino cherries
- 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup milk or buttermilk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-inch round or square cake pan generously. Melt the butter in a small saucepan or microwave, then pour into the pan. Sprinkle brown sugar over the butter evenly.
Arrange the pineapple slices in a single layer, fitting as many as possible. Place a cherry in the center of each ring. In a bowl, cream together softened butter and granulated sugar until fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time. Add vanilla extract.
In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Alternate adding flour mixture and milk to the butter-sugar mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until smooth. Pour batter gently over the fruit in the pan and smooth the top.
Bake for 40–50 minutes or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes, then flip onto a serving plate. Let it sit inverted for a few minutes before lifting the pan.
Pro Tips & Variations
For a twist, try adding shredded coconut to the batter or using crushed pineapple instead of slices for a more textured bite. Want a shortcut? Use a yellow cake mix to make a pineapple upside down cake recipe cake mix version that’s still delicious and crowd-pleasing.
Craving individual servings? Try a pineapple upside down cake cupcake recipe—same ingredients, just baked in a muffin tin. And if you’re planning a tropical party, use this recipe as inspiration for a pineapple upside down cake drink recipe with pineapple juice, grenadine, and a splash of vanilla vodka.
To store leftovers, wrap tightly and refrigerate. It tastes even better the next day.
Conclusion
Pineapple upside down cake is a fun and easy dessert. It looks beautiful and tastes sweet and soft. The pineapple on top makes it special. You don’t need fancy tools or hard steps. Just mix, bake, and flip. It’s great for parties, family dinners, or a sweet snack. Kids and adults love it.
The cake smells so good when baking. It’s a treat that makes people smile. Try it once, and you’ll want to make it again. Share it with friends or keep it all for yourself. Pineapple upside down cake is simple, yummy, and always a hit. Give it a try!
FAQs
Q:Can I use pineapple juice instead of water in a cake mix?
A:Yes, you can use pineapple juice instead of water in a cake mix.
Q:Does pineapple upside down cake get soggy?
A:There’s a fine line between moist cake and soggy cake.
Q:Can I add sour cream to cake mix?
A:Adding ½ cup of sour cream packs flavor into your box cake mix.
