Like Mom's Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Transport yourself back to warm, nostalgic kitchens with "Like Mom's Pineapple Upside Down Cake," a timeless dessert that balances caramelized sweetness with a buttery, tender crumb. This classic recipe features a luscious layer of golden pineapple rings and vibrant maraschino cherries nestled in a rich brown sugar glaze, baked to perfection beneath a fluffy vanilla cake. Topped with a hint of nostalgia and ready in just under an hour, this dessert is as beautiful as it is delicious—perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, or whenever you're craving a retro-inspired treat. Serve warm or at room temperature for a crowd-pleasing dessert that's irresistibly moist and flavorful. Keywords: pineapple upside down cake, classic dessert, caramelized topping, nostalgic baking, quick homemade cake recipe.

Nutriscore Rating: 55/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 0.75 cup brown sugar
• 7 slices pineapple rings (canned or fresh)
• 7 whole maraschino cherries
• 1.25 cups all-purpose flour
• 1.5 teaspoons baking powder
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.75 cup granulated sugar
• 0.25 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 2 units large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 0.5 cup whole milk

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Step 2

In a 9-inch round or square baking pan, melt 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter over low heat (either on the stove or in the oven). Spread the melted butter evenly across the bottom of the pan.

Step 3

Evenly sprinkle 3/4 cup of brown sugar over the melted butter.

Step 4

Arrange 7 pineapple rings on top of the brown sugar mixture. Place a maraschino cherry in the center of each pineapple ring.

Step 5

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together 1 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Set aside.

Step 6

In a large mixing bowl, use a hand or stand mixer to cream 3/4 cup of granulated sugar and 1/4 cup of softened butter until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 7

Beat in 2 large eggs one at a time, followed by 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, until the mixture is smooth.

Step 8

Gradually add the dry ingredients (in 3 additions) and 1/2 cup of milk (in 2 additions) alternately to the wet ingredients, starting and ending with the dry mixture. Mix until just combined; do not overmix.

Step 9

Pour the batter evenly over the pineapple and cherry layer in the prepared pan, using a spatula to spread it gently to the edges.

Step 10

Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

Step 11

Remove the cake from the oven and let it rest in the pan for 5 minutes. Run a knife around the edges of the pan to loosen the cake.

Step 12

Carefully place a serving plate or cake stand over the pan and invert the cake onto the plate. Gently lift the pan away, allowing the caramelized topping to cover the cake.

Step 13

Let the cake cool slightly before serving. Enjoy warm or at room temperature!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1495.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3017.0

Total Fat 112.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 63.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1g
Cholesterol 639.8mg	0%
Sodium 2096.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 487.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 13.9g	0%
Total Sugars 339.3g
Protein 35.9g	0%

Vitamin D 162.8IU	0%
Calcium 432.8mg	0%
Iron 11.9mg	0%
Potassium 1422.9mg	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: 32.5%

Protein: 4.6%

Carbs: 62.8%