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    Recipe Idea Shop » Recipes » Desserts

    Grandma's From Scratch Pineapple Upside Down Cake

    by Kathy Owen · Nov 18, 2024 · Updated: Apr 24, 2026 · "As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases"

    Pineapple upside down cake has always been one of our favorite cakes. Making it from scratch is the secret to making this cake moist. The combination of fruit and cake hits the spot.

    If my mom didn't make Confetti Angel Food Cake for my birthday, she made this cake. Being a mom of the 50s and 60s, she took the easy way out, though, and used a box mix. (And I understand why since I have never been able to make an Angel Food Cake from scratch.)

    From Scratch Pineapple Upside Down Cake

    She also made her pineapple upside down cake with a yellow cake box mix. I make mine from scratch. It takes only a little more time and it's SO much better. This from-scratch cake is easy and delicious. Trust me. You're gonna love it. It's so pretty and scrumptious.

    homemade pineapple upside down cake

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    What You Need

    For best results you will need a seasoned cast iron skillet. You also need measuring cups and spoons, mixing bowls and an electric mixer.

    Ingredients

    The Topping Ingredients (Topping is baked on the bottom)

    • 4 tablespoons butter
    • ¾ cup brown sugar
    • 7 canned pineapple rings (1 large can, drained)
    • 12 Maraschino cherries (or 7 pecan halves)

    Cake Ingredients

    • ½ cup butter (softened)
    • ¾ cup sugar
    • 1 egg
    • ½ cup milk
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 2 teaspoons baking powder
    • 1 ¼ cups flour

    Directions

    Topping Directions

    • Heat the butter in a 10-inch cast iron skillet until it melts.
    • Swirl the skillet to coat part way up the sides.
    • Cover the bottom of the skillet with the brown sugar.
    • Place the pineapple rings over the brown sugar around the edge and one in the center of the skillet. Place a maraschino cherry or pecan half in the center of each pineapple ring (all with the round side down) and add more in between the rings if you want.

    Cake Directions

    • Preheat the oven to 350 F degrees.
    • Cream the butter and sugar.
    • Mix in the egg, milk and vanilla.
    • In a separate bowl mix the remaining dry ingredients.
    • Fold dry ingredients mixture into the liquid mixture.
    • Mix well and pour it over top of the pineapple rings.
    • Bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
    • Remove the skillet from the oven and let it rest for a minute, no longer.
    • You may find it helpful to loosen the cake with a table knife from the outside edge of the pan before you do the next step.
    • Place the serving platter over the top of the skillet and turn the whole thing upside down to reveal the brown sugar topped cake with pineapple rings and cherries or pecans.
    • Let cool and serve just how it is or add whipped cream for elegance.pineapple upside down cake with cherries
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    A close-up of a Pineapple Upside Down Cake topped with caramelized pineapple rings and maraschino cherries, displayed on a white plate with syrup drips along the edge.

    Pineapple Upside Down Cake With Cherries Or Pecans

    Melt in your mouth delicious. Impress your friends and make this Pineapple Upside Down Cake from scratch. It is so good.

    Author: Recipe Idea Shop

    Rate this Recipe Print Pin Save Saved!
    Prep : 15 minutes mins
    Cook : 30 minutes mins
    Total Time: 45 minutes mins
    Course : Cake, Dessert
    Cuisine : American
    Servings : 12

    Ingredients
     

    The Topping Ingredients (Topping is baked on the bottom)

    • 4 tablespoons butter
    • ¾ cup brown sugar
    • 7 canned pineapple rings (1 large can, drained)
    • 12 Maraschino cherries (or 7 pecan halves)

    Cake Ingredients

    • ½ cup butter (softened)
    • ¾ cup sugar
    • 1 egg
    • ½ cup milk
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 2 teaspoons baking powder
    • 1 ¼ cups flour

    Instructions
     

    Topping Directions

    • Heat the butter in a 10-inch cast iron skillet until it melts.
    • Swirl the skillet to coat part way up the sides.
    • Cover the bottom of the skillet with the brown sugar.
    • Place the pineapple rings over the brown sugar around the edge and one in the center of the skillet. Place a maraschino cherry or half pecan in the center of each pineapple ring and add more in between the rings if you want.

    Cake Directions

    • Preheat the oven to 350 F degrees.
    • Cream the butter and sugar.
    • Mix in the egg, milk and vanilla.
    • In a separate bowl mix the remaining dry ingredients.
    • Fold dry ingredients mixture into the liquid mixture.
    • Mix well and pour it over top of the pineapple rings.
    • Bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
    • Remove the skillet from the oven and let it rest for a minute, no longer.
    • You may find it helpful to loosen the cake with a table knife from the outside edge of the pan before you do the next step.
    • Place the serving platter over the top of the skillet and turn the whole thing upside down to reveal the brown sugar topped cake with pineapple rings and cherries or pecans.
    • Let cool and serve just how it is or add whipped cream for elegance.

    Nutrition (may vary depending on ingredients and amounts used)

    Calories: 290kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 45mg | Sodium: 272mg | Potassium: 99mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 33g | Vitamin A: 408IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 79mg | Iron: 1mg
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    moist and gooey pineapple upside down cake

    Close-up of a Pineapple Upside Down Cake topped with pineapple rings and cherries, with text above reading Moist & Gooey Pineapple Upside Down Cake and a cartoon girl holding a whisk in the bottom right corner.
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    About Kathy Owen

    Kathy Owen acquired the blog, Recipe Idea Shop in 2024. She was raised on a farm in Arkansas where having a big garden and good food to eat was the norm. She shares recipes for homemade comfort food and new trending dishes.

    5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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