Friday, February 14, 2025

Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Nothing like a box with all the stuff inside, right? My first PUDC was just that, a pre-packaged mix. The small can of pineapple, the big bag of pre-mixed dry stuff, the little packet of brown sugar...remember? It was okay but you can't stuff love in a box. So I set about looking for a new version of the cake. It seems people love to tinker with things and only make them worse!  I would come to realize that the simple the better and so, this was the result. By the way, it's so easy that even a kid can make it.

  •  2 cups packed light brown sugar
  •  1 1/2 sticks butter
  •  1 can sliced pineapple, undrained (reserve the juice)
  •  maraschino cherries
  •  3 eggs
  •  1 cup white sugar
  •  1 teaspoon vanilla
  •  2 teaspoons baking powder
  •  1 1/2 cups flour
  •  1/4 tsp salt

  1. Using a 10 inch round skillet, melt the butter over low heat.
  2. Remove from heat and mix in the brown sugar.
  3. Combine 8 slices of pineapple with the butter and brown sugar mixture.
  4. Place a maraschino cherry in the middle of each pineapple slice.
  5. In a large bowl, separate the eggs.
  6.  Reserve the egg whites, place the yolks in another bowl.
  7. Beat the egg yolks until lightly fluffy, set aside.
  8. In a separate bowl, combine 1/2 cup pineapple juice, white sugar, and vanilla.
  9. Mix until sugar is dissolved.
  10. Slowly add this mixture to the egg yolks, mixing well.
  11. Sift the baking powder, flour, and salt into the egg yolk mixture.
  12. Combine well.
  13. Beat egg whites until stiff then fold into the egg yolk mixture.
  14. Add this mixture to the butter, pineapple, and sugar mixture.
  15. Bake at 350 degrees F for 35 minutes.
  16. Let cool for 10 minutes, then turn upside down onto a plate.

This is absolutely the best for serving along with a brunch or ladies' tea. You can also make it in a cupcake pan as individual mini-cakes.