Sunshine Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

Here’s a delicious recipe for a classic Upside-Down Pineapple Cake that’s sure to delight with its caramelized pineapple topping and moist, buttery cake.

Ingredients:

For the Topping:

• 1/4 cup (60g) unsalted butter
• 2/3 cup (130g) brown sugar, packed
• 1 can (20 oz) pineapple slices in juice, drained, juice reserved
• Maraschino cherries

For the Cake:

• 1/3 cup (75g) unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 and 1/3 cups (165g) all-purpose flour
• 1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (120ml) reserved pineapple juice (top up with milk if needed)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Topping:
   • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
   • Melt 1/4 cup butter in a 9-inch round cake pan over low heat. Stir in brown sugar and cook until dissolved. Remove from heat.
   • Arrange pineapple slices on the sugar mixture. Place a cherry in the center of each pineapple slice and in the gaps between the slices.
2. Make the Cake Batter:
   • In a mixing bowl, cream together 1/3 cup butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
   • Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
   • In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
   • Gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture alternately with the pineapple juice, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Stir until just combined.
3. Assemble and Bake:
   • Gently pour the batter over the pineapple and cherries in the cake pan, spreading evenly.
   • Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
   • Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then invert onto a serving plate. If any fruit sticks to the pan, gently replace it on the cake.
4. Serve:
   • Serve warm or at room temperature. It pairs beautifully with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

Tips:

• Pan Size: Ensure your pan is deep enough to hold the topping and the batter as it rises.
• Pineapple Arrangement: Take your time arranging the pineapple slices neatly for a beautiful presentation once the cake is flipped.
• Checking Doneness: Due to the fruit and caramel, the top (which becomes the bottom) can be a bit moist, so a few crumbs on your toothpick are okay.

This Upside-Down Pineapple Cake is not only visually striking but also wonderfully tasty, with flavors that are sure to evoke a bit of nostalgia!