Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

Upside down, right side up; there's no wrong way to enjoy pineapple upside-down cake.

This classic cake needs no explanation—when pineapple upside-down cake hits the table, you know exactly what you're looking at. A retro cake that you probably enjoyed as a child, along with your mother, and her mother, this dessert has a place in history and a spot on the table for just about any occasion.

That unique presentation is everything: Pineapple upside-down cake is baked with rings of canned pineapple slices that become sticky and sweet during their time in the oven. After baking, the cake gets inverted in one big flip so that the pineapple rounds end up topping the cake as its displayed upside down—or right side up, depending on your point of view. A cherry in the center of each pineapple ring adds a whimsical polka-dot sensibility to the cake.

Learn how to make pineapple upside-down cake From the slices of caramelized pineapple to the sweet and tender cake they adorn, there are plenty of reasons to love this dessert.

The History of Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

In the late 1800s the term "upside-down cake" began to replace what was commonly called "skillet cake," which was a cake made in a cast-iron skillet on the stovetop and flipped before serving. The first known upside-down cakes are dated as far back as the Middle Ages, and typically featured apples or cherries.

When the Hawaiian Pineapple Company (now the Dole Company) sponsored a contest for the best pineapple recipes in 1925, 2,500 of the 60,000 submissions were for pineapple upside-down cake. The company used ads to promote the popularity of the dessert, helping to cement its place in American culture.

Main Ingredients for Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

The fact that it only takes about 15 minutes to throw together this cake—that's just the cherry on top of it all. Here are the key ingredients for making a pineapple upside-down cake:

• Salted butter: You'll use butter to make the brown sugar mixtures that will become the cake's crispy upper topping.
• Light brown sugar: Forms the sugary crust that will be the cake's top, and has a great caramel-rich flavor that's perfect with the pineapple.
• Large eggs: Separate the eggs. You'll whip the egg whites and fold them into the batter; they give the cake its rise (no leavener needed). The yolks will also be whipped to help make the airy and light cake batter.
• All-purpose flour: Provides the perfect texture for the cake. It's light enough to be fluffy and tender but dense enough to give the cake a great texture with the juicy fruits.
• Canned pineapple slices: The sweetness of the tender fruit slices cook up perfectly without breaking down in the hot pan.
• Maraschino cherries: These cherries are classic for their retro vibes. You can leave off if you're not a fan.

How To Make Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

Making pineapple upside-down cake is fast and easy. The full recipe is below, but here's a recap before you get started:

• Step 1. Make the sugar topping: Beat butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy; spread evenly into a cast-iron skillet. Top decoratively with pineapple slices and cherries. You can use more cherries if you want; we say the more, the merrier. You can also leave them off. If you want, cut up pineapple rings into smaller pieces and fill any open gaps.
• Step 2. Make the batter: Beat egg yolks until lightened and thick. Gradually add sugar and beat to combine. Mix flour and salt to combine; add alternately to the mix along with water and vanilla. Whip egg whites to stiff peaks and fold into batter. Do not overmix or fold too much; it's important to keep the egg whites light and airy so they'll help the cake rise during baking. If the air is mixed out, they cake may be dense.
• Step 3. Add batter to skillet: Spoon batter over fruit, and bake until a wooden pick inserted comes out clean. Cool 30 minutes before inverting.

How To Store Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

Pineapple upside-down cake can be stored covered at room temperature for one to two days or kept in the refrigerator for up to five days.

Can You Freeze Pineapple Upside-Down Cake?

Yes, this cake can be frozen for up to a month and defrosted or warmed before serving.

Editorial contributions by Katie Rosenhouse.