Classic pineapple upside-down cake made from scratch. Tender vanilla cake topped caramelized brown sugar, Maraschino cherries, walnuts, and pineapple rings.
ingredient
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 4 ½ teaspoons honey
- 1 cup dark brown sugar, packed
- ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 7 pieces pineapple rings, canned, 3-inches wide
- 14 maraschino cherries, drained
- ¼ cup walnuts, chopped
- 1 ⅓ cups cake flour
- 2 teaspoons double-acting baking powder
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened, 60 to 65°F (16 to 18°C)
- ½ cup granulated sugar, plus 2 more tablespoons
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 4 teaspoons whole milk, room temperature
Directions
- Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat to 350°F (177°C).
- Use a handheld mixer or stand mixer fitted with a paddle to combine butter, honey, brown sugar, and vanilla over medium speed in a bowl, 30 seconds.
- Lightly grease the bottom and sides of an 8 1⁄2 x 2 1⁄2-inch or 9 x 2-inch round cake pan with vegetable oil.
- Evenly spread brown sugar mixture over the bottom of the pan.
- Place one of the pineapple rings in the middle and 6 around the edges.
- Add two cherries in the center of each pineapple ring.
- Add walnuts to the edges where the brown sugar mixture is exposed and add small broken pieces in the center between the rings.
- Sift flour and baking powder in a medium-size bowl. Whisk to combine.
- In a separate medium-sized bowl, add softened butter and granulated sugar. Using the paddle attachment, mix on low speed until just combined, 20 seconds. Increase speed to medium and mix for 3 minutes until the mixture is light and creamy. Scrape down the sides as needed.
- Add vanilla and mix on medium speed for 10 seconds.
- Add eggs one at a time, on medium speed until creamy, 30 seconds. Scrape the bowl and repeat with the second egg.
- Add milk and combine on medium speed, 15 seconds.
- On low speed add flour mixture in 3 batches, mixing until just combined, 10 seconds each interval. Scrape sides as needed. Pour batter into the pan over the pineapples; it will be thick. Use a spatula to spread evenly.
- Bake until cake is golden brown, springs back when touched and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean with a few crumbs attached, or center of the cake registers about 185-190°F (85-88°C), about 30 to 40 minutes. The bake time will depend on the size of your pan.
- Allow cake to cool in the pan on a cooling rack for 45 to 60 minutes. The cake will still be slightly warm but will set as it continues to cook in the pan. Do not cool completely or the topping will stick to the bottom.
- Run a knife around the edges of the cake, invert onto a serving platter, and then wait 5 minutes before lifting off the pan. Serve warm.
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