Pineapple Upside Down Cake

5 from 1 vote

This old-fashioned Pineapple Upside Down Cake is a treasured family recipe topped with buttery brown sugar, pineapple, maraschino cherries, and walnuts for an easy homemade dessert everyone loves.

Prep Time10

Cook Time45

Rest Time5

Total Time1

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Calories: 345kcal

Author: Kristin Hayes

Equipment

Ingredients

TOPPING

3 tablespoon unsalted butter melted
2 ½ cups pineapple tidbits or crushed pineapple drained
Maraschino cherries
walnut halves
⅔ cup brown sugar

CAKE

⅓ cup shortening
½ cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 ¼ cups sifted cake flour
1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup reserved pineapple juice

Instructions

Topping

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Melt the butter in a 9-inch round cake pan. Drain the pineapple, reserving ½ cup of the juice for the cake batter.
Arrange the maraschino cherries and walnut halves in the bottom of the pan. Sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over the fruit, then top with the pineapple. Set aside.

Cake

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the shortening and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the cake flour, baking powder, and salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the shortening mixture, alternating with the reserved pineapple juice, and mix just until combined.
Spread the cake batter evenly over the pineapple layer.
Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
Let the cake rest for 5 minutes, then carefully run a knife around the edges. Place a serving plate over the pan and carefully invert the cake. Allow the pan to sit for about 30 seconds before lifting it away. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

Drain the pineapple well to prevent excess moisture in the topping.
Reserve the pineapple juice before assembling the topping so it's ready for the cake batter.
Let the cake rest for about 5 minutes before flipping for the cleanest release.
Store leftovers covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.

Nutrition