Camp Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Take your outdoor adventures to the next level with Camp Pineapple Upside Down Cake—a decadent, easy-to-make campfire dessert that’s sure to delight! This crowd-pleaser features golden pineapple rings and jewel-toned maraschino cherries caramelized in a buttery brown sugar glaze, all topped with a moist and fluffy yellow cake. Prepared in a foil-lined cast iron skillet or Dutch oven, this retro classic is perfectly adapted for campfire cooking, delivering rich, gooey goodness right in the great outdoors. Whether you're camping or baking at home, this simple yet impressive treat is ready in just 50 minutes and makes for a nostalgic, shareable indulgence enjoyed best warm. Perfect for outdoor enthusiasts craving dessert made simple, this recipe is a must-try for lovers of pineapple, caramel, and timeless comfort food.

Nutriscore Rating: 52/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 8 slices Canned pineapple slices
• 8 pieces Maraschino cherries
• 0.5 cups Unsalted butter
• 0.75 cups Brown sugar
• 1 box Yellow or vanilla cake mix
• 1 cups Water
• 0.5 cups Vegetable oil
• 3 large Eggs
• 1 piece Foil-lined cast iron skillet or Dutch oven

Directions

Step 1

Using a foil-lined cast iron skillet or Dutch oven, melt the butter over low heat or in a campfire until fully melted and liquid.

Step 2

Stir in the brown sugar until it forms a smooth and sticky caramel-like mixture.

Step 3

Arrange the pineapple slices in a single layer on top of the melted butter and brown sugar mixture. Place a maraschino cherry in the center of each pineapple ring.

Step 4

In a mixing bowl, prepare the cake batter by combining the cake mix, water, vegetable oil, and eggs. Mix until well combined, ensuring there are no lumps.

Step 5

Carefully pour the cake batter over the pineapple and cherry layer, spreading it evenly with a spatula to ensure complete coverage.

Step 6

Cover the skillet or Dutch oven with a lid or aluminum foil to trap heat for even cooking.

Step 7

Place the covered skillet or Dutch oven on a grate over the campfire's glowing embers, or bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) if cooking indoors.

Step 8

Cook for approximately 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Avoid cooking on direct flames to prevent burning.

Step 9

Once fully cooked, carefully remove the skillet or Dutch oven from the heat and let the cake cool for 5-10 minutes.

Step 10

Run a knife along the edges of the skillet to loosen the cake. Carefully invert the cake onto a serving plate, revealing the caramelized pineapple and cherry topping.

Step 11

Serve warm, and enjoy this campfire classic with friends and family!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1462.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3875.7

Total Fat 210.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 56.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 67.2g
Cholesterol 682mg	0%
Sodium 2420.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 505.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 7.5g	0%
Total Sugars 342.0g
Protein 42.0g	0%

Vitamin D 123IU	0%
Calcium 877.8mg	0%
Iron 12.7mg	0%
Potassium 1039.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 46.4%

Protein: 4.1%

Carbs: 49.5%