My easy Pineapple Upside Down Cake recipe has received hundreds of 5-star reviews, and for good reason! Made with a soft, fluffy, and simple vanilla cake base and a beautiful crown of caramelized pineapple and maraschino cherries, this classic recipe is slated to be a staple in your baking repertoire. Includes a how-to video.
The Perfect Easy Pineapple Upside Down Cake
There are a lot of cake recipes on this blog, and a fair share of unique cake recipes as well (zebra cake and my ice cream cake certainly come to mind). However, I’m not sure any is quite as unique and demanding of attention as this pineapple upside down cake.
A true showstopper, it’s a moist and flavorful vanilla cake crowned with golden, caramelized pineapple rings and cherry jewels. It’s also surprisingly simple to make and you don’t have to bother with frosting or decorating the same way you would a classic layer cake.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to make. No fussy techniques, no fancy ingredients, this recipe is a good one for beginners and well-seasoned bakers alike.
- A true classic. This is the classic dessert you might remember from your childhood.
- It’s beautiful! There’s no denying a freshly flipped upside-down cake is a sight to behold; both its beauty and taste make it a showstopper for any dessert table.
- Unique. From the unique way in which it’s baked (upside-down!) to the caramelized crown of tropical fruits, this recipe stands out from your basic cake recipe.
I think you’re going to love this one, so let’s get to it.
What You Need
The cake is made of basic pantry staples, nothing fussy, fancy, or difficult to find, and the beautiful bottom-turned-top is a stunning crown of caramelized fruit. You’ll recognize most of the ingredients, but as you know I like to discuss them a bit before we get to the baking.
- Pineapple Rings. You can use fresh or canned rings. Canned are the traditional and easier choice, and are what I use here.
- Maraschino cherries. Don’t substitute fresh cherries. Maraschino cherries add classic are essential as they’re soaked in a syrup that lends much flavor to the surface of the cake. If you do opt to substitute a fresh cherry, just expect a different flavor.
- Sugar. The topping is made with light brown sugar, which lends a subtle rich flavor to the caramelized topping (thanks to the small amount of molasses in the sugar). The cake uses only granulated sugar.
- Flour. I use all-purpose flour, but you may substitute cake flour. If doing so, how you substitute depends on how you weigh your ingredients. If you use a scale, the weight will be the same for cake flour, but if you are using a measuring cup, you will need a bit more cake flour than the recipe calls for. Here is a helpful resource for substituting cake flour for all-purpose flour.
- Milk. My preference is to use milk in the cake batter. I’ve tried the recipe with pineapple juice (leftover juice from the can of pineapple slices) and did not enjoy the cake as much when made this way. However, a number of readers have written that they’ve substituted all or half of the milk with pineapple juice and enjoyed it that way, so feel free to experiment!
SAM’S TIP: Make sure to blot your pineapple slices well with paper towels before placing them in your pie plate. This will absorb any excess liquid. If you skip this step it could make your cake soggy.
This section is just an overview of the ingredients I used and why (for those of you who are as nerdy about what goes into making a cake as I am!). For the full recipe please scroll down to the bottom of the post!
How to Make the Best Pineapple Upside Down Cake
The steps are simple and straightforward and I don’t think you’ll struggle, but let’s go over them before we begin:
- Prepare your pan. Pour melted butter into the pie plate and make sure you spoon or brush a bit up the sides of the plate as well. Sprinkle brown sugar evenly overtop the butter.
- Layer the fruit. Arrange the pineapple rings and cherries over the pie plate and around the edge, too.
- Make the cake batter. This is a simple but sturdy vanilla cake batter (the same one used for my marble cake) that you’ll make by creaming the sugar and butter, adding eggs and vanilla, then gradually alternating adding the dry ingredients and milk until the batter is combined.
- Bake. To avoid the cake over-browning, you’ll want to check it at the 30 minute mark and loosely tent with foil (I also use this technique in my banana cake).
- Flip & serve. Let the cake cool for just 10-15 minutes before inverting onto a serving platter (more on that below). Don’t let the cake cool too long, or it may stick to the pie plate.
Avoid a too-dense, dry cake: This recipe is a bit denser than your average cake (it must be to not collapse under the weight of the fruit once flipped) but it should not feel too dense or dry. There are two culprits to watch for that could cause your cake to turn out this way: 1) Over-mixing the dry ingredients (just stir until the wet and dry ingredients are combined, don’t overdo it!) and 2) over-baking the cake. Even a few minutes too long in the oven can make your cake dense and dry. Some ovens also run hotter than they say they are, so watch for that too as this can cause your cake to cook too fast and dry out!
How to Flip this Cake
This was a popular question when I first published this cake and I want to address it here (though I also show how to flip the cake in my video). The biggest takeaways should be to make sure you use oven mitts and use a plate that’s larger than your cake so that any juices don’t run off the side!
- Allow your cake to cool for 10-15 minutes before you attempt inversion. If any of the cake has baked into the edge of your pie plate or cake pan, first use a knife to gently loosen the edges and free them from the pan.
- Place your cake platter (or any plate that’s larger than your cake) over the pan — plate surface should be facing your vanilla cake layer.
- Using oven mitts (it will be hot!) carefully and firmly grip both the side of the cake platter and the cake pan on either side.
- Carefully but quickly flip everything over so that the bottom of the cake pan is facing upwards, and then set down your cake platter and carefully remove the cake pan (careful, it will still be hot!)
And that is it! This cake tastes best warm, so while you still want it to cool a bit, I don’t recommend waiting too long to dig in or making it very far in advance of serving!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Many of my readers have baked their own cakes in 9-10″ cast iron skillets instead of the pie plate. One thing worth noting is that the baking time will likely be shorter, as cast iron will cook much faster. Keep an eye on your cake if baking this way and check it sooner than indicated in the recipe.
The butter and sugar coating should keep the cake from sticking to the pan. However, before flipping the cake I like to take a butter knife and, if any place where I see actual cake (not fruit) making contact with the pie plate, I gently loosen it so that it won’t stick. The fruit should also come out quite easily, but if a ring or tow sticks, no big deal, just gently pry it from the pie plate and place it back on the top of the cake, there should be a clear indent showing you exactly where it belongs. ☺️
When served warm and fresh, the top of the cake will be quite moist, but it should never be described as soggy. If your cake seems downright soggy it may be that the pineapple slices weren’t properly blotted before being placed in the pie plate. That extra moisture can make the cake too moist and soggy. I also find the cake becomes more soggy as it sits, so I recommend serving not long after preparing.
This cake really does taste best warm and it’s one of a few recipes where I personally don’t enjoy the leftovers. If you must store it, keep it covered in the fridge where it will keep for several days, but it is a moist cake and will become a bit soggier as it sits. Such is life!
Enjoy!
Let’s bake together! I’ll be walking you through all the steps in my written recipe and video below! If you try this recipe, be sure to tag me on Instagram, and you can also find me on YouTube and Facebook
Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Ingredients
Topping
- ¼ cup (60 g) salted butter melted
- ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar light or dark (I usually use light) tightly packed
- 10 pineapple slices patted dry (a 20oz can is typically enough)
- maraschino cherries
Vanilla Cake
- ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter softened to room temperature
- ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs room temperature preferred
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups (195 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (120 ml) whole milk room temperature preferred
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F (175C)
- Pour melted butter into 9.5-10" pie plate or deep cake pan, make sure it entirely covers the bottom of the pan and use a spoon or spatula to grease the sides of the pan.¼ cup (60 g) salted butter
- Sprinkle brown sugar evenly over butter mixture. Arrange pineapple slices over the bottom of the pan, slice leftover slices in half and arrange up the sides of the pan, as seen in photo.½ cup (100 g) brown sugar, 10 pineapple slices
- Place cherries in center of pineapple rings and as desired in empty spaces. Set aside.maraschino cherries
- To prepare vanilla cake, beat butter and sugar in medium-sized bowl until creamy and well-combined.½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
- Add eggs, beating one at a time until combined.2 large eggs
- Stir in vanilla extract.1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.1 ½ cups (195 g) all-purpose flour, 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder, ¼ teaspoon salt
- Alternate adding flour and milk to the wet ingredients, starting and ending with flour and mixing until just combined after each addition (I prefer to do this part by hand with a spatula to be sure not to overmix).½ cup (120 ml) whole milk
- Pour batter evenly over prepared cake pan over the pineapple/cherry layer.
- Bake on 350F (175C) for 30 minutes. At the 30 minute mark, loosely cover with foil and continue to bake (still on 350F/175C) for another 15 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean with few crumbs (total cook time for cake will be 45 minutes).
- Allow to cool for 10-15 minutes and then carefully invert cake onto serving platter (careful, it will still be very hot!).
- Allow to cool before cutting and enjoying, but don’t wait too long as this cake tastes wonderful (best!) warm from the oven!
Notes
Milk
I use and recommend whole milk, but many readers have substituted lower-fat milk or almond milk with success. Some readers have substituted the milk in this recipe with pineapple juice, I think the difference in taste is negligible and prefer the texture of the cake when made with milk, but it can be done.Gluten Free
Readers have commented that they have successfully made this recipe by using a 1:1 substitution of all-purpose gluten free cup4cup flour.Serving & Storing
Pineapple upside-down cake tastes best fresh and doesn’t keep as well as most layer cakes. However, if you wish to keep it, cover it with foil or plastic wrap or place in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to three days. You may also wrap tightly and freeze for several weeks.Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
I originally shared this recipe in 2017. It has been updated to include more helpful photos, notes, and information and a new video, but the recipe remains the same.
M.G.R.
While the flavor of the cake is really good, it is too dense. I hand mixed the last part of the ingredients as directed by the recipe, but it not light and fluffy. I don’t know what might make ot less heavy.
Sam
I’m so sorry this happened. It should be a fluffier cake, that being said, it may have been slightly over-baked. The other likely culprit of a dense cake is over-mixing, but it sounds like you were careful for that part. I would probably just use the toothpick test to test your cake a few minutes earlier next time. 🙂
Candi
May I suggest this: separate the eggs. Mix the yolks into the butter and sugar. Whip the whites until soft peak. Mix dry ingredients, butter/yolks mixture and milk together. Then carefully fold in whipped egg whites. Makes the batter fluffier.
Alyssa
I made this tonight for a family dinner and everyone raved about it! My hubby is, shall we say, an experienced pineapple upside-down cake eater and he said it was the best he’s ever had!
Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Wonderful! We love hearing that, Alyssa 😊 Thanks for giving our recipe a try!
Sarah D.
Can I leave this in the pan, upside down until ready to serve? Even if it’s a couple of hours after it finishes baking? Or is it important to flip out of the pan while it is still warm?
Sam
Hi Sarah! If you let it sit in the pan too long it may prove to be very difficult to flip out.
Wade
Can I make this a day ahead of time?
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Yes, although it’s best served shortly after it comes out of the oven. If you do make it ahead, store it in the fridge in an airtight container to prevent dryness. Enjoy!
gina
I used fresh ripe pineapple, couldnt slice it so i slightly chopped it in my cuisineart. hopefully its ok!!
Laurie
I was not overly impressed. Personally I found the cake a tad too heavy. Flavour of the cake was good, not too sweet which is a nice contrast to the topping. Just wish the cake itself was lighter in texture
Sam
I’m so sorry this happened, Laurie! This cake should turn out to be pretty light and fluffy. If it comes out dense, most likely the batter was a bit over-mixed. 🙁
Emmy K
I made this today but I subbed coconut milk for the milk and added 3 taps of pineapple juice to the batter and it was AMAZING! Definitely recommend this recipe. So good!!
Lindsay
Can this be prepared ahead of time and kept in the fridge until ready to bake?
Sam
Hi Lindsay! I haven’t tried it. I haven’t done it more than 30 minutes in advance so I’m not sure how it would turn out. Let me know how it goes if you try it.
Donna Marie Bauer
You mentioned being able to use either a cake pan or a pie plate. What size cake pan? Glass or metal? Also, if I wanted to double the recipe (to make a larger cake), what size cake pan works for this recipe? Can I make it using a 9″x13″ glass pan?
Thank you!
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Hi Donna! We typically use a 9.5″ glass pie plate, but a 9 or 10 inch cake pan would work fine. Either glass or metal works, but metal will take longer. And yes, a 9×13 will work for doubling 😊
BJT
What is the best way to store it and for how long?
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
We recommend storing in the fridge in an airtight container. It should last this way for about three days or so. Hope that helps!
Maria B
I have done this recipe 3 times and we all love it every single time. I follow the recipe as is, no modifications. Our guests have loved it too! It is pinned as my “to go” recipe for pinneapple cake. Thank you!
Daniela
Hi! Thank you for sharing this recipe. Can I add more vanilla extract and use cake flour instead or will that affect the recipe?
Sam
Hi Daniela! You could add a little more vanilla if you’d like. If you use cake flour you will need to make sure to use the proper substitution. 🙂
vicky
just going to try upside down cake can i use the pineapple juice or does it have to be milk
Sam
Hi Vicky! I did test this recipe with pineapple juice instead of milk and wasn’t very satisfied with the results. It will turn out but I recommend the milk here. 🙂
Linda
Trying this today but realize I only have 1% milk. Is that a problem, Sam?
Sam
Hi Linda! The 1% milk may dry out the cake a little bit but it should still work. 🙂
Linda
Thank you, Sam. I asked the question a bit too late, but appreciate your response. The cake came out great – used fresh pineapple- and my friends loved it, but it probably could have been moister. Will go with whole milk next time. Excellent recipe!!
Dianna
I would like to use fresh pineapple as others have mentioned. For fresh pineapple, does the bromelain affect the cake? I have heard that there are problems using fresh pineapple when baking. I’ve read all the comments but no one mentioned anything about whether it needs to be partially cooked ahead of time.
Also, you mention not to overfill the dish when adding the batter. How much leeway should be given to make sure the cake/syrup does not overflow? One inch? Half an inch?
Thanks for posting this recipe! I cannot wait to get a fresh pineapple and try it!!!
Sam
Hi Dianna! You can use fresh pineapple to top the cake here. You can actually see how much I fill the pie pan when I make the cake in the video. I would say it’s probably 3/4 to an inch away from the top of the dish. 🙂
Carter
Has anyone tried adding crushed pineapples to the recipe?
What changes if any did you make besides adding the crushed pineapples?
Shelly
Very good cake. Batter is thick, but bakes to perfection. Make as is… it’s a perfectly moist delicious cake. Thank you for sharing.
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Thanks for letting us know how it turned out for you, Shelly! We’re so glad you liked it 😊
Gabriella
So glad you said the batter was thick! Popping mine into the oven and was supperrr worried that I messed it up! Lol
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
If you ever have doubts, be sure to check out the video to see if you’re on par with the recipe 😊
Jesse
I have and it doesn’t make it soggy or really change the consistency, I’d recommend.