If you're looking for a cake with a tropical twist, our pineapple upside-down cake recipe will have each bite tasting like you're in a tropical paradise. From the rum-infused cake batter to the sweet pineapple topping, this cake is a vacation for your tastebuds.
How to Make Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
Serve our sweet tropical cake warm topped with homemade whipped cream. The recipe makes 6 to 8 servings.
Topping Ingredients
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ¾ cup packed brown sugar
- ½ fresh pineapple, peeled, cored, sliced, and cut into halves
Cake Batter Ingredients
- 1⅓ cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cardamom
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated white sugar
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons dark rum
- ⅓ cup pineapple juice
No rum? No problem. Use ¼ cup of sour cream in place of rum. This makes the cake moist and balances the sweet and tangy flavors.
Instructions
- Spray a 9-inch round cake pan with butter spray or nonstick spray.
- Mix the topping ingredients (melted butter and brown sugar) until well combined, and add the mixture to the prepared pan.
- Arrange the pineapple within the topping in the cake pan (pineapple should be placed close together).
- Heat your oven to 350°F.
- Mix together flour, baking powder, salt, and cardamom in a medium bowl; set aside.
- In another bowl, beat butter with an electric mixer and gradually add granulated sugar and brown sugar.
- Beat in the eggs, one at a time.
- Add the vanilla and rum.
- Slowly beat in half of the flour mixture.
- Beat in the pineapple juice.
- Continue beating in the remaining flour mixture until it is well combined and blended.
- Spoon the batter over the pineapple topping mixture in the cake pan.
- Bake for 35 to 40 minutes (or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean).
- Let the cake cool. Run a butter knife around the edge to loosen edges and flip it upside down onto a serving platter.
Optional Garnishments and Variations
If you're looking to impress your guests with your cake, you can add maraschino cherries to the pineapple topping (in the center of each ring) for a pop of color.
Complete your dish with a side of freshly made or store-bought whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. No one will be able to resist.
Rum-Kissed Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
Pineapple upside-down cake is a sweet treat that's best served warm. While the rum-infused cake might have you drooling, it's the caramelized pineapple and brown sugar that takes the spotlight. Give yourself a well-deserved vacation with this recipe, no matter what day of the week it is.
