Pineapple Upside Down Cake Recipe – This is the best pineapple cake recipe online! It’s a moist sponge cake caramelized to perfection with brown sugar pineapple rings and cherries.
How to Make Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Have you ever wanted to know how to make pineapple upside down cake? Well this the recipe to teach you. I found it in one of my Big Mama’s old handwritten recipe notebooks so I knew it would be amazing, and indeed it was. Whenever you see a cake made in a cast iron skillet, you know it has the goods.
I have tried making pineapple upside down cake in some very inventive ways but sometimes a classic is really all you need. This cake starts with a light yet moist sponge cake base with a hint of pineapple juice to really liven up the flavor. I love adding that touch of pineapple so you get pineapple essence in every single bite you take. The base is really a pineapple cake recipe on a smaller scale.
The best part of any pineapple upside down cake is the bottom (or top once its turned over). I love using a cast iron skillet to really get that deep caramelization from butter and brown sugar. Add your pineapple rings and cherries (I actually leave these out due to a cherry allergy) and you have the most perfect cake. You can use fresh pineapple for this but make sure to cut the pineapple slices thin enough so that they get tender during the bake. For ease, you can just used canned pineapples. They are also perfectly sized and evenly sized, and you can use the juice in the can for the juice in the recipe.
Once you flip the cake over (this cake comes out perfect each and every time), the buttered brown sugar sinks deep into the sponginess of the cake creating the most sensational taste ever. I love to eat it when its fresh out of the oven and cooled just for a few minutes. It is perfection when it is warm. You could even add a scoop of ice cream too!
Pineapple Cake Recipe Alternatives
Check out the recipe below! And if you want more Pineapple Upside Down Cake inspiration check out these Pineapple Upside Down Pancakes.
Or these individual Pineapple Upside Down Hummingbird Cakes! Or even for summer grilling, I love to make these Pineapple Upside Down Milkshakes and these Grilled Pineapple Donut Sundaes. And if you want to go savory, try my Pineapple Honey Bourbon Grilled Catfish. It is serious eats.
If you are searching for more pineapple deliciousness, check out these recipes:
- This No Bake Pineapple Dream Dessert from Crazy For Crust is calling my name.
- I’m ready to get my grill hot to make this Grilled Pineapple with Cinnamon Honey Drizzle from Wine and Glue.
- Make sure you make me a tall glass of this fun Pineapple Mojito from Barefeet In The Kitchen.
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 2 tsps pure vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs
- 1/4 cup pineapple juice
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar
- 6-7 fresh pineapple rings or more to create design
- maraschino cherries
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- For the cake batter: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, vanilla extract, eggs and pineapple juice until well mixed. Set aside.
Next melt butter to a 9 inch cast iron skillet over medium heat.
- Once melted, whisk in brown sugar and cook for 1 minute.
Line the bottom of the butter and sugar mixture with 6 to 7 pineapple rings and cook over medium heat for an additional 2 minutes.
- Pour cake batter on top of the pineapples.
- Bake cake for 28-33 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.
- Cool cake for 10 minutes then invert the cake onto a serving plate and serve.
Recipe Video
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You know what Jocelyn, old recipes are usually the best 😉 I totally respect an old recipe. Pineapple upside down cake forever brings me back to making it with my grandmother one summer. I was completely clueless to what it was, until we made it together, and I loved it! I’ve never made it though :/ sad huh? Pinned this for later. Thanks girl!
Thanks so much Kelly! There is something so nostalgic about this cake!! Especially when you make it with your grandmother.
I adore upside down cakes..they’re so retro and rustic and just plain delicious! I love them in all flavors, but you just can’t beat the classic pineapple, and this looks divine! 🙂
Thanks so much Marcie! You are a woman after my own heart. I adore them too!
I just love how pineapple upside down cakes look. Great recipe.
Thanks so much Erin!! I love how they look too!
Love Upside Down Cakes.. this one looks soo good. I am sure it was as goos as it looks.
Thanks so much Ella! I do too!
That looks delicious! So rich and flavorful. I love upside down cakes, especially with pineapple. 🙂
Same here! I am a big upside down cake fan!
I have no doubt that this cake tastes amazing. And yes, I am totally ready to try it out :). You always have the best recipes, dear. XOXO
Thanks so much Kathi!!! It is amazing indeed my dear!
This is one delicious classic! I put full faith in those old, handwritten family recipes. This cake looks wonderful! 🙂
Thanks so much Alyssa!!! I do too!
It’s gorgeous!! I wish I had old recipe books. Although my grandma didn’t measure anything, so that would probably have been interesting, lol. 🙂
Same here!!! I basically had to figure out the entire thing lol. I think I got it right lol.
This is a cake I have yet to tackle. So naturally beautiful. I love the rings of pineapple!
It is seriously such a simple cake to make too!
This was one of my favourite desserts when I was a child, Jocelyn. It’s so delicious with creamy English custard. I’m sure any dinner guest would still be wowed by this enduring classic. Love your mini versions, too! They’re stunning!
Thanks so much Helen!!! I need to try it with English custard!
I’m loving the brown sugar. It makes it so much more caramelly and wonderful!
Beautiful cake!
Yes the brown sugar is soo necessary!!! You almost can’t have it without the brown sugar!
Sometimes you just can’t be a classic like this! Looks perfect!
Thank you so Julie!!
I keep wanting to make pineapple upside down cake as a tribute to my granny who was known for hers. I need to try this. It looks awesome and sounds easy to make!
Its super easy to make and I surely love a tribute to granny!!! They are seriously the best ever!!
a great classic!
A classic indeed Dina!
This looks fabulous! I’ve never had pineapple upside down cake before, but I’m definitely gonna give this recipe a try soon 😀
It is so amazing Tina!
This is one of my husband’s fave dessert. I made it a lot when we were dating.
Oh girl that’s how you snagged it!
Just bought your book can’t wait to take it for a twirl!
This is my husband’s favorite cake. I make it in my old electric frying pan, as that is how my mom made it. I’m 65, so you know how long ago my mom made it!
This cake is RIDICULOUS!!!! I’ve made it several times, always DELISH!!!!! The brown sugar and butter that’s all squishy, omg!!! I’m must make it again today!!!!!
Yes ma’am! You are correct, This is the Best Pineapple upside down cake recipe on the internet!
My cake was so soft and moist, My family loved it! But u have to make two, The first one went so fast I couldn’t believe it! DELICIOUS!!!!! Thanks Jocelyn!!! 🙂
I tried to attach a picture but i don’t see how to do it?
Nothing beats a good classic dessert! Wish I had a slice right now!
This cake is making me hungry! May I have this for breakfast? Looks too good! 🙂
This is really gorgeous! Looks perfect!!
Such a cheerful and vibrant dessert! I can’t wait to try a slice!
Such a gorgeous cake!! I can’t wait to try it!!
So yummy! I could use a slice of this right now 🙂
Looks delicious and so easy to make! !
This is the best cake ever! We have to double the recipe, or else it is gone too fast!