Easy Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

Easy Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

 Kristina Vanni

Prep: 25 mins
Cook: 45 mins
Total: 70 mins
Servings: 6 servings

This easy pineapple upside down cake looks impressive, but no one has to know it all comes together in a snap. Plus, it uses canned pineapple, so you can enjoy summertime tropical flavors any time of year.

Brown sugar, butter and a dash of pineapple juice are pressed into the bottom of a cake pan. Ultimately, when the pan is inverted this will create the decadent ooey gooey topping.

It is always such a moment of triumph when the cake comes out of the oven and you turn it over onto a serving plate to reveal the beautiful pineapple pattern on top. Serve wedges of this easy pineapple upside down cake with a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. It is a real treat and always a huge hit! 

Ingredients

  • 1 8-ounce) can pineapple rings

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

  • 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar

  • 4 maraschino cherries

  • 1/3 cup vegetable shortening

  • 3/4 cup sugar

  • 1 large egg

  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

  • 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

  • Ice cream, or whipped cream, to serve

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Easy Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
     Kristina Vanni
  2. Heat the oven to 350 F. Strain an 8-ounce can of pineapple rings in a colander and reserve the liquid from the can. This flavorful juice will be used several times through the recipe to infuse pineapple flavor into every bite.

    Easy Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
     Kristina Vanni
  3. Pour melted butter into the bottom of a 9-inch cake pan and distribute evenly. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar and 1 tablespoon of the reserved pineapple juice. Sprinkle into the bottom of the cake pan and distribute evenly. 

    Easy Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
     Kristina Vanni
  4. Arrange the pineapple rings in the pan on top of the brown sugar.

    Easy Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
     Kristina Vanni
  5. Fill the centers of each pineapple ring with maraschino cherries. Set aside while you make the batter.

    Easy Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
     Kristina Vanni
  6. Beat shortening, granulated sugar, and egg together until well-blended.

    Easy Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
     Kristina Vanni
  7. Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt.

    Easy Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
     Kristina Vanni
  8. Measure the remaining pineapple juice and add water as necessary to make 2/3 cup. 

    Easy Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
     Kristina Vanni
  9. Add half of the flour mixture to the shortening mixture and beat to combine.

    Easy Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
     Kristina Vanni
  10. Add pineapple juice with vanilla and remaining dry mixture, beat to combine. 

    Easy Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
     Kristina Vanni
  11. Pour over pineapple rings and place in oven. Bake until batter is done in the middle, about 45 minutes. 

    Easy Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
     Kristina Vanni
  12. Cool 5 minutes before running a knife around the edge to loosen cake from pan. 

    Easy Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
     Kristina Vanni
  13. Invert cake onto serving plate.

    Easy Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
     Kristina Vanni
  14. Serve with ice cream or whipped cream.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
406 Calories
16g Fat
63g Carbs
4g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories 406
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 16g 21%
Saturated Fat 7g 36%
Cholesterol 47mg 16%
Sodium 309mg 13%
Total Carbohydrate 63g 23%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Total Sugars 45g
Protein 4g
Vitamin C 18mg 92%
Calcium 141mg 11%
Iron 2mg 9%
Potassium 111mg 2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)