Name: Pineapple Upside Down Cake: A Classic Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 1/2 cup butter; 1 cup brown sugar; 20 ounces pineapple rings (, syrup reserved); 6 Maraschino cherries (, sliced in half); 1 cup pecans (, chopped); 6 eggs (, separated); 1 1/2 cups sugar; 1/2 cup reserved pineapple juice; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 2 teaspoons baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar; 2 teaspoon vanilla; 2 tablespoons rum (, optional)

A classic recipe for tender pineapple upside down cake - super easy to make even for the beginner.

Total time 35 minutes

Jump to Recipe

If you're looking for the best pineapple upside down cake from scratch then you've found it! Light, fluffy spongecake is spooned atop a base of melted butter and brown sugar with pineapple rings, cherries, and pecans. This adaption of a vintage recipe calls for stiffly beaten egg white which are what give the cake it's delicate fluffy texture. Old fashioned upside down cake the way that mom made it! This post and recipe have been updated from the original 2008 version for better user experience. Last updated July 2, 2018

For this recipe you'll need: butter, brown sugar, pineapple rings, Maraschino cherries, pecans, eggs, sugar, cake flour, salt, cream of tartar, baking powder, vanilla, rum - optional

A rectangular pineapple upside down cake dusted with confectioner's sugar on a white table

Make this pineapple upside down cake from scratch - just like mom used to make!

Pineapple upside down cake recipes are iconic classics that come with many variations. The original one is my favorite, there's just something about a thick, caramel syrup combined with juicy pineapple, and feather light sponge cake that no other recipe can touch.

This cake has a delicate pineapple flavor without being overpowering. That keeps this dessert from being too sweet with the buttery brown sugar topping and the pineapple. I've seen some pineapple upside down cake recipes without pecans but I love the buttery flavor and crunchy texture that pecans give to the fruit and spongecake.

A square of pineapple upside down cake placed on a white vintage plate with a green pattern.

Pineapple upside down cake from scratch has a delicate, sponge cake texture.

Tips for Making Pineapple Upside Down Cake from Scratch

Experience level: Intermediate - experience with whipping egg whites and folding them into a batter is helpful.

Cooks Notes

Although pineapple upside down cake is simple there are a few tricks you need to remember that will help you create the perfect cake.

Fold the egg whites in very, very gently so they don't deflate.This keeps your cake light and airy.
If you overcook the cake it will taste like stale cardboard. Watch it carefully.
Let the cake cool for about 5 minutes before turning out of the pan. The sauce needs to thicken up or it will run all over.
Use good pineapple, the final product depends on it. Most vintage recipes assume pineapple in heavy syrup is being used. Adjust sugar to your own tastes. (I think it's better with the pineapple in heavy syrup.)

How to make pineapple upside down cake in a cast iron skillet

Adjust the serving size to 6 so you've got the measurements for half this cake. You can do this by clicking on the serving size and adjusting it down.
Preheat the oven to 350F.
Heat the skillet in the oven with the butter while the oven preheats.
Remove the skillet from the oven and mix in the brown sugar and lay the pineapple, cherries, and pecans just like with the regular cake.
Put that back in the oven for 5 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
Remove from the oven and spoon the cake batter over the brown sugar mixture.
Put into the oven and bake for 30 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean (be careful not to go to the bottom of the pan with the toothpick).
Follow directions for flipping.

Delicios pineapple upside down cake slice next to a silver fork.

Brown sugar and butter form a gooey caramel around the pineapple and pecans.

How do I flip a pineapple upside down cake?

This is probably the trickiest part of this entire recipe! Whether you make the cake in a cast iron skillet, a cake pan, or a 13"x9" pan the process for flipping is the same.

Allow the cake to cook for 10 minutes before inverting.
While the cake is cooling get a pan that's bigger than the pan the cake was baked in - you'll invert your cake onto this.
Run a knife around the edge of the cake pan to loosen the cake from the pan.
Place the bigger pan over the top of the pineapple upside down cake pan so that the surface is facing the bottom of your cake layer.
Carefully flip it over, holding the two dishes firmly together.
Give the cake a minute for the topping to slip off the bottom and onto the cake.
Gently remove the pan that the cake was baked in.

Can you refrigerate pineapple upside down cake?

You sure can. It's best to store any remaining cake in the refrigerator for up to three days. I wouldn't suggest making this cake ahead of time because it's best when it's served warm and freshly baked.

How long do you wait to flip a homemade pineapple upside down cake?

5 minutes is just about right - just don't wait longer than 10 minutes or the cake topping will be too cool and stick to the pan. If this is happening flip the cake back over and slide back into the oven for a few minutes then try again.

a square of pineapple upside down cake on a vintage white plate. Seen from the top the pineapple ring and cherry are clearly seen.

Let the pineapple upside down cake rest for about 5 minutes after taking it from the oven.

More Desserts with Fruit

Here are some more of my favorite fruit and cake combinations -

Pig Pickin' Cake - easy yellow cake with pineapple, mandarin orange, and a creamy whipped topping.
Strawberry Punch Bowl Cake - in some places you might know this as trifle.
Blueberry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake - the classic with the crumble topping.
Strawberry Filled Angel Food Cake - super easy because it starts with a purchased angel food cake.
Orange Layer Cake - another vintage recipe.
Whiskey Sour Bundt Cake - just like the drink, with maraschino cherries throughout.
Meyer Lemon Bundt Cake -tangly lemon bundt cake is so easy!

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This recipe doesn't call for anything fancy but it works better with a heavier pan. I like this heavy, nonstick pan from OXO.