Mini Pineapple Upside-Down Cakes Recipe | Sophisticated Gourmet (2024)

A delicious mini pineapple upside-down cakes recipe. Indulge in this crowd-pleasing moist and flavorful mini pineapple upside-down cakes. Save the calories and only have one or two of these delicious mini pineapple cakes!

Mini Pineapple Upside-Down Cakes Recipe | Sophisticated Gourmet (1)

What screams summer more than green grass, grilling, berries, hot weather, and clear blue skies (as if we’ve been getting much of that lately)? Pineapples and Mini Pineapple Upside-Down Cakes!

Yes, the native fruit of Paraguay and Brazil (if you were wondering, it didn’t make its way to Hawaii until the 16th Century). Pineapples are a great summer treat. They’re sweet and great in fruit salads, cakes, and just about anything else. Especially in pineapple upside-down cakes!

That being said, today I decided that I was going to make Mini Pineapple Upside-Down Cakes. I used my regular-sized muffin tins and lined them with muffin liners. I ended up making several Mini Pineapple Upside-Down Cakes (I think it was 30- I lost count once I started snacking on them with my mother and sister)

When I baked them, I used fresh pineapple slices, and then I basically segmented the slices with my fingers making them the same consistency of crushed pineapple. If you cannot find fresh pineapple for any reason, I would suggest using pineapple slices and not crushed pineapple (my way gives it a better texture) for these mini pineapple upside-down cakes.

I have adapted this pineapple upside-down cake recipe from a past issue of Gourmet, but I changed many things. Including omitting cardamom. From reading several recent comments, reading the cook’s note (and from common knowledge of spices), I read that the original recipe had too much cardamom. Three teaspoons to be exact. So, I decided that I was going to just leave the cardamom out. I also decided to leave the rum out. I don’t think it makes much of a difference if rum is in the recipe or not.

This recipe is something that any person (especially someone who’s trying to watch their figure) can eat without really feeling awful because a) they’re Mini Pineapple Upside-Down Cakes, which means that they’re basically portioned controlled, and b) ¼ of of a regular sized cake consists of roughly 4 and ½ mini’s. Go figure.

So, without further a due, I present to you one of the greatest pineapple upside-down cake recipes that I’ve tried so far (thanks to the changes that I made).

Other Recipes You Will Enjoy

  • Carrot Cake Recipe
  • Yellow Birthday Cake Recipe
  • Apple Harvest Loaf Cake
  • Raspberry Jam Crumb Cake Recipe

Yield: Makes over 2 Dozen Mini Cakes

Mini Pineapple Upside-Down Cakes

Mini Pineapple Upside-Down Cakes Recipe | Sophisticated Gourmet (2)

This mini pineapple upside-down cake recipe is something that any person (especially someone who’s trying to watch their figure) can eat without really feeling awful because they’re mini, which means that they’re basically portioned controlled, and ¼ of of a regular sized cake consists of roughly 4 and ½ mini’s. Go figure.

So, without further ado, I present to you one of the greatest mini pineapple upside down cake recipes that I’ve tried so far (thanks to the changes that I made).

Prep Time30 minutes

Cook Time20 minutes

Additional Time30 minutes

Total Time1 hour 20 minutes

Ingredients

For Topping:

  • ½ medium pineapple, peeled, quartered lengthwise, and cored
  • ¾ stick unsalted butter
  • ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
  • Maraschino cherries, cut into halves (for garnish)

For Batter:

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ stick unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • ½ cup unsweetened pineapple juice

Special Equipment:

  • Muffin tins & muffin tin liners

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.

Make the topping

  1. Cut pineapple crosswise into 3/8-inch-thick pieces. Shred the pineapple sliced with your fingers to a similar consistency of crushed pineapple.
  2. Melt butter in skillet. Add brown sugar and simmer over moderate heat, stirring, 4 minutes. Remove from heat.
  3. Place muffin liners in muffin tins.
  4. In the mini muffin tins, place roughly one teaspoon of the butter and brown sugar mixture in each liner, just so the bottom of the liner is coated.
  5. Place the shredded pineapple on top of sugar mixture making sure not to mix the butter-sugar mixture and the pineapple together.

Make the mini pineapple upside-down cakes

  1. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Beat butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, then gradually beat in granulated sugar.
  2. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla.
  3. Add half of the flour mixture and beat on low speed just until blended.
  4. Beat in pineapple juice, then add the remaining flour mixture, beating just until blended (The batter may appear slightly curdled. It did for me, it’s because of the pineapple juice, don’t worry it’s normal for this to happen).

    Spoon batter over pineapple topping in muffin tins making sure that you do not fill each liner entirely (remember, the cake expands in the oven).

  5. Bake in middle of oven until golden and a tester comes out clean, around 15 to 20 minutes.
  6. Let cakes cool in pan.
  7. Turn the mini pineapple upside-down cakes upside down, and peel the liner off carefully.
  8. Place each mini cake on a plate and garnish with the halved maraschino cherries. Serve cake just warm or at room temperature.

Notes

Mini Pineapple Upside Down Cakes can be made a day ahead and chilled, covered. Bring to room temperature before serving.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

30 Mini Pineapple Upside-Down Cakes

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 144Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 27mgSodium: 82mgCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 0gSugar: 14gProtein: 1g

Mini Pineapple Upside-Down Cakes Recipe | Sophisticated Gourmet (2024)

FAQs

Why is the top of my pineapple upside-down cake soggy? ›

My #1 Tip for the Topping: Blot the wet pineapples and maraschino cherries before using. The more liquid in the fruit, the more liquid that won't “set.” Excess liquid creates an unpleasantly wet cake.

Should you use parchment paper when baking a pineapple upside-down cake? ›

The parchment paper is not absolutely necessary, but it helps if you have a "sticking" issue with the sweet pineapple glaze (you can use waxed paper in a pinch). Mix melted butter with brown sugar and spread evenly in prepared 9" round cake pan.

What is the pineapple upside down trick? ›

To add on, placing your pineapple upside down on your counter results in the best-tasting pineapple, as it lets the sweet, ripe juices flow from the bottom throughout the entire fruit.

Should you refrigerate pineapple upside-down cake after baking? ›

Store pineapple upside-down cake covered in the refrigerator to retain the texture and moistness as much as possible and enjoy it within 2 or 3 days.

When should you flip an upside-down cake? ›

I use a very heavy coating of non-stick baking spray that includes flour (like Baker's Joy), but you can also use a coating of butter and flour. Let the cake cool, but not completely. Before you flip the cake upside-down, let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes to let it finish setting up.

Does turning a pineapple upside down make it more juicy? ›

tronzo last month revealed that the best way to make sure your pineapple is extra juicy and sweet is to store it upside down. Austin explains in the video that the best way to make your pineapple ripen faster is to remove the spiky leaves at the top with a twisting motion, then flip the pineapple on its head.

How to prevent pineapple upside-down cake from sticking? ›

In order to keep the fruit in place and protect the caramel from sticking, line the bottom of the pan with parchment. A smooth stovetop caramel is also key to the perfect upside-down cake. This recipe uses reserved pineapple juice and cornstarch to ensure the caramel stays nice and velvety.

What is a substitute for maraschino cherries in pineapple upside-down cake? ›

If you're looking for a substitute for maraschino cherries in a pineapple upside-down cake, fresh cherries or other preserved cherries can work well. Even raspberries, blackberries, or small halved strawberries could work.

How do I make sure my upside-down cake doesn't stick? ›

The trick with upside down cakes is keeping the caramel and fruit from sticking to the pan when you unmold it. The answer is parchment paper. Prep your pan by greasing the bottom, placing a circle of parchment cut to fit in the pan, and then greasing the parchment.

What does "right side up pineapple" mean? ›

While the right-side-up pineapple still stands for hospitality and welcome, when flipped on its head, it has been said to be a subtle nod to a lifestyle not commonly spoken about in the open: swinging.

What does a pineapple tattoo mean? ›

In the American South, for example, the fruit is considered a symbol of warmth, welcome, and hospitality, so a pineapple tattoo may represent a sense of home or something personally familiar. They can also symbolize affection, so it's a great idea for a couple or best friend tattoo.

Can you use pineapple juice instead of water in a cake mix? ›

Use pineapple juice to make a cake from a boxed mix.

Simply replace the oil, milk, or water called for in the recipe with pineapple juice in equal proportions. A yellow or white cake works best, since the pineapple flavor could clash or get lost if you use chocolate or another flavor.

What pairs well with pineapple cake? ›

Cream Cheese Frosting: The tangy and creamy flavor of cream cheese frosting complements the sweetness of pineapple cake perfectly. It adds a rich and velvety texture to the cake. [1] Coconut Frosting: Coconut and pineapple are a classic tropical combination.

How do you fix a soggy cake top? ›

You can also place your baked items in the fridge for a half hour, and this should cool and dry the surface as well. The fridge is known to be a dry environment as it naturally dehumidifies air by cooling the insides. Just don't leave it in there too long uncovered because it will completely dry out your baked goods!

Why is my upside-down cake 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.

What is the cause of soggy wet cakes? ›

A cake that's wet in the middle, in most cases, has not baked long enough. Put it back in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes. Be sure to check every 5 minutes with the toothpick test for any changes. If sliced, cover with aluminum foil to prevent the top from browning even more.

Why did my cake turn out soggy? ›

Problem: The edges of my cake are soggy.

This happens when the cake isn't turned out onto your cooling rack soon enough and condensation has built up on the inside of the tin.

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