How to Make the Perfect Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
This guide will walk you through creating a delicious and visually stunning pineapple upside-down cake. We'll cover everything from ingredient selection to baking tips and tricks, ensuring your cake is a crowd-pleaser every time. Get ready to impress your friends and family with this classic dessert!
Ingredients You'll Need
Before you begin, gather these essential ingredients:
For the Topping:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
- ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 (20 ounce) can pineapple slices, well-drained (reserve the juice!)
- ½ cup maraschino cherries, drained
For the Cake:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
Step-by-Step Baking Instructions
Let's get baking! Follow these steps for a perfect pineapple upside-down cake:
1. Prepare the Topping:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan. You can also use a 9-inch square pan, but the baking time might need slight adjustment.
- In the prepared pan, evenly distribute the melted butter. Sprinkle the brown sugar over the butter.
- Arrange the pineapple slices in a circular pattern, slightly overlapping, over the brown sugar. Place a cherry in the center of each pineapple ring.
2. Make the Cake Batter:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and reserved pineapple juice (about ¼ cup). This adds extra moisture and flavor!
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined; do not overmix.
3. Bake the Cake:
- Carefully pour the batter over the pineapple and cherry topping in the prepared pan.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Keep an eye on it – ovens vary! If the edges are browning too quickly, tent the top with foil.
4. Invert and Serve:
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before inverting it onto a serving plate. A wire rack placed on top of the serving plate can help with cooling.
- Once inverted, admire your beautiful upside-down cake! Let it cool completely before slicing and serving.
Tips for the Perfect Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
- Don't overmix the batter: Overmixing can lead to a tough cake. Mix until just combined.
- Use fresh pineapple: While canned pineapple is convenient, fresh pineapple will give you a more intense flavor.
- Adjust baking time: Ovens vary, so keep an eye on your cake and adjust the baking time as needed. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean.
- Get creative with toppings: Experiment with different fruits, like peaches or mangoes, or add a sprinkle of nuts to the topping.
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This detailed guide should help you create a delicious pineapple upside-down cake. Enjoy!
