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Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

This recipe guides you in creating a classic Pineapple Upside-Down Cake. It features a caramelized topping of butter, brown sugar, pineapple, and cherries, topped with a tender cake batter. Baked to golden perfection, it's then inverted for a beautiful, sweet dessert.
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Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course lunch/dinner, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 6 people
Calories 2016 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Square Baking Pan 8x8x2-inch
  • 1 Electric Mixer
  • 1 Fine-Mesh Sifter
  • 1 Serving dish
  • 1 Paring Knife

Ingredients
  

Main

  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar packed
  • 9 slices canned pineapple in juice drained
  • 5 maraschino cherries
  • 1 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/3 cup solid vegetable shortening
  • 2/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2/3 cup milk

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Place the butter in an 8-by-8-by-2-inch square baking pan and set it over low heat to melt. When melted, sprinkle the brown sugar over the butter. Arrange the pineapple rings in a single layer on top of the sugar, making 3 rows. Cut the maraschino cherries in half, and place one half, cut-side up, in the center of each pineapple ring. Set the pan aside.
  • Sift the flour, baking powder and salt, then sift once more. Set aside. Using an electric mixer, mix together the shortening, granulated sugar, egg and vanilla. Blend in the flour mixture alternately with the milk, beginning and ending with flour. Stir only enough after each addition to combine.
  • Pour the batter carefully into the pineapple-lined baking pan and bake for 40 minutes. Test for doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center or pressing the cake lightly with a fingertip; if the impression springs back, the cake is done. Run a knife around the edges of the pan and place a serving dish on top. Invert the cake onto the serving dish. Leave the pan inverted over the cake for several moments to allow the syrup to soak into the cake.

Notes

For a perfect Pineapple Upside-Down Cake, ensure the butter and brown sugar are evenly melted and spread in the pan to create a consistent caramel layer. Sifting the dry ingredients twice is crucial for an airy, tender crumb, preventing dense spots. When mixing the batter, alternate dry and wet ingredients and avoid overmixing; stir just until combined to prevent gluten development, which can lead to a tough cake. After baking, allow the pan to sit inverted over the serving dish for several minutes. This crucial step lets the warm, syrupy goodness fully soak into the cake, enhancing its moisture and flavor profile.