Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Recipe - Easy and Quick (2024)

Classic pineapple upside-down cake is one of our family’s favorites—deliciously moist, fruity pineapple and cherries cake. Just a few simple ingredients and a yellow cake mix make this a quick and easy cake. Topped with ooey gooey brown sugared caramel pineapple goodness, it just could not be any more delicious.

Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Recipe - Easy and Quick (1)

Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

Pineapple cake is always a delicious treat, especially for spring dinners. I like to serve it on Easter after a meal of ham, deviled eggs, Irish Soda Bread, and roasted Brussel sprouts.

I have made this cake for birthdays and served it with whipped cream and ice cream and a cherry on top. It has fruit instead of sugary icing.

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Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Recipe - Easy and Quick (2)

pineapple cake with whipped cream

Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Recipe

Whenever I serve my pineapple upside cake, I get recipe requests. So I wanted to share with you the best pineapple upside-down recipe using a yellow cake mix.

Before you begin the recipe, I would like to share some helpful tips.

Baking tips

  • Preheat the oven while preparing the cake batter.
  • When baking upside-down cakes. Cut a parchment liner to fit your pan to ensure your cake turns out of the pan neatly.
  • Use the pineapple juices from the canned pineapple to replace the water in the cake mix.
  • Squeeze out the moisture from 1/8 cup canned crushed pineapple to fill in around the pineapple rings and maraschino cherries.
  • Bake according to your baking dish size.
  • Use a toothpick inserted in the center; if it comes out clean, it is finished baking.
  • Cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes before turning the cake out of the pan.

Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Recipe - Easy and Quick (3)

Pineapple cake ingredients

Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Recipe - Easy and Quick (4)

Heat butter and brown sugar in a saucepan

Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Recipe - Easy and Quick (5)

Pineapple slices and cherries arrange in a pan over the butter and brown sugar mixture

Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Recipe - Easy and Quick (6)

Easy Pineapple Upside-down cake

Tools:

Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Recipe - Easy and Quick (7)

Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

This super moist quick pineapple upside-down cake will be a fast favorite since it is easy and delicious. They will be begging for more.

4.67 from 15 votes

Print Recipe Rate

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: pineapple upside-down cake, Pineapple upside-down cake recipe, upside-down cake

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 28 minutes minutes

Servings: 12 slices

Calories: 374kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 box Yellow cake mix
  • 1 Large can of pineapple rings
  • 1 can crushed pineapple
  • 1 stick butter
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 jar maraschino cherries pitted

Instructions

  • Drain a can of pineapple rings, conserving the liquid.

  • Drain a can of crushed pineapple.

  • Prepare the cake mix according to the directions, except use the conserved pineapple liquid instead of water.

  • Heat butter and brown sugar in a medium saucepan until the butter is melted and the mixture is well combined.

  • Using a pastry brush, spread the butter and brown sugar mixture in the bottom of the pans.

  • Arrange pineapple rings on top of the brown sugar mixture.

    Use drained crushed pineapple to fill in around the pineapple rings.

  • Decorate the pineapple rings with cherries.

  • Pour the cake batter gently over the pineapple and cherries.

Equipment

Mixing bowl

Cake pans

Mixing spoon

Silicone pastry brush

Notes

Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Recipe - Easy and Quick (14)

Pineapple upside-down cake

This quick pineapple upside-down cake is one of your favorite go-to recipes.

Please note:

  • I added a little crushed pineapple to the areas between the pineapple rings.
  • I like to place 1/8 cup of crushed pineapple into the cake batter after squeezing out all the moisture.
  • To ensure the pineapple upside-down cake toppings stay on when you turn it out of the pan I cut a circle of parchment paper to line the bottom of as my first step.

Nutrition

Calories: 374kcal | Carbohydrates: 74g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 381mg | Potassium: 167mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 55g | Vitamin A: 288IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 131mg | Iron: 1mg

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Tried this recipe?Mention @kippiathome or tag #kippiathome!

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Want More?

Sometimes we all need a little inspiration for easy meals and recipes. I put together some recipes. I think you will like it.

If you like easy everyday recipes, you might enjoy my favorite recipes delivered straight to your inbox click HERE.

I hope you have a safe and healthy spring,

Kippi

Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Recipe - Easy and Quick (2024)

FAQs

Can I use pineapple juice instead of water in a cake mix? ›

I also like using the pineapple juice from the canned pineapple in place of water (or with water) in the cake mix. Once the cake comes from the oven you're done. No icing or decorating needed.

When should you flip a pineapple upside-down cake? ›

Bake 50 to 55 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Immediately place heatproof serving plate upside down over pan; turn plate and pan over. Leave pan over cake a few minutes so brown sugar mixture can drizzle over cake; remove pan. Serve warm.

What is a substitute for cherries in pineapple upside-down cake? ›

Food Stylist: Simon Andrews. By substituting pecans (or other nuts) for the usual maraschino cherries, this twist on a classic upside-down cake is less sweet and crunchier than the usual recipe.

Does milk instead of water make cake moist? ›

One common ingredient swap that is known to help make cakes remarkably moist is using milk instead of water. Try switching out any water in your recipe for full-fat milk or buttermilk for a moist, decadent texture. Another ingredient that can enhance the moisture of your cake is mayonnaise.

What does adding milk instead of water to cake mix do? ›

Most box cake recipes will tell you to add water to the mix. Instead, try adding milk using the same proportions. This will make the cake richer and creamier because it ups the fat content. You can even use buttermilk here for a pleasant tang.

Should you use parchment paper when baking a pineapple upside-down cake? ›

To get the goo to stay where you want it and not impede the release of the cake, line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper or a silicone cake-pan liner after you grease the pan. That should allow easy removal, and then you can peel the paper off of the cake.

Why is the top of my pineapple upside-down cake soggy? ›

To prevent a soggy pineapple upside down cake, be sure to blot any excess liquid from your pineapples, and avoid using any additional juice or liquid than the recipe calls for in the cake.

Are you supposed to eat pineapple upside-down cake cold? ›

When you flip the cake over so the pineapples are on the top, that caramel mixture seeps into the cake and makes this pineapple upside down cake so tender and moist. We prefer to serve this pineapple upside down cake a little warm, but you can easily serve it cold, straight out of the refrigerator.

What is a pineapple upside-down cake shot made of? ›

Learn to make this tasty shot recipe using only three ingredients. When you combine vanilla vodka, pineapple juice and grenadine, you will create this beautiful gradient shot recipe that tastes just like pineapple upside-down cake.

What strains make up pineapple upside-down cake? ›

Pineapple Upside Down Cake is a hybrid marijuana strain made by crossing Pineapple Trainwreck with Cookie Monster. This strain produces effects that relax muscles, relieve tension and improve mood.

What do you frost a pineapple upside-down cake with? ›

Frost the sides of the cake with Pineapple Buttercream Frosting. Press chopped pecans into sides of cake, if desired. Pineapple Buttercream Frosting: Beat 1/2 cup softened butter, 2 tablespoons reserved pineapple juice and confectioner's sugar in a large bowl until well combined.

What is the best way to flip a pineapple upside down cake? ›

As soon as you take the cake out of the oven, place serving platter upside down on the cake. Carefully but quickly, flip the cake upside down. Tap on the bottom of the cake pan to release the cake, and then carefully lift the cake pan to remove it.

Is pineapple upside down cake better the next day? ›

Like most cakes, pineapple upside-down cakes can be made in advance. Warm the cake slightly after it's been refrigerated or frozen and it will taste like it was made the same day!

How do you keep pineapple upside down cake from sticking? ›

Any tips for getting pineapple not to stick to the pan? Buttered pan, then buttered parchment paper. Works everytime!

Can I use pineapple juice instead of water? ›

Replace water or milk in a recipe for pineapple juice.

Note that if a recipe calls for multiple liquids, like milk and oil, you should only substitute the juice for one of the liquids.

What can you substitute for water in a cake mix? ›

Baking tip #2: adding milk to your box cake mix in place of water adds a dense texture to your dessert leaving it moist and flavorful like a homemade cake. Or, if you prefer, you can add buttermilk, giving your cake a tangy flavor to balance out the sweetness.

Can you replace water with juice in cake mix? ›

You can also think 'outside of the box and use other non-dairy liquids: Try swapping out the water for soda, juice (orange juice is great with vanilla / yellow cake), or even a stout beer or coffee (for chocolate cake).

What to add to cake mix to make it moist? ›

Add an Extra Egg

Most cake mixes call for two to three eggs. Just one more egg will add extra moisture, fat, and a little protein, which means the cake will be softer and less likely to overbake and dry out in the oven.

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