Pineapple Upside Down Cake Made with Cake Mix Recipe

Introduction

Pineapple Upside Down Cake made with a cake mix is a classic dessert that’s both easy and impressive. With a caramelized pineapple topping and a moist, tender cake, it’s perfect for any occasion. Using a boxed cake mix simplifies the process without sacrificing flavor.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 can (20 ounces) sliced pineapple
• 18 maraschino cherries
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 box (15.25 ounces) yellow cake mix

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Step 2: Pour the melted butter into a 9×13-inch baking dish and spread it evenly across the bottom.
3. Step 3: Sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over the melted butter in the dish.
4. Step 4: Arrange the pineapple slices in a single layer on top of the brown sugar. Place one maraschino cherry in the center of each pineapple slice.
5. Step 5: Pour the pineapple juice from the can into a measuring cup. Add water to the juice until you have a total of 1 cup of liquid.
6. Step 6: In a large mixing bowl, combine the pineapple juice mixture, eggs, and vegetable oil. Beat until well blended.
7. Step 7: Stir the yellow cake mix into the wet ingredients until the batter is smooth and no lumps remain.
8. Step 8: Pour the batter gently over the pineapple and brown sugar layer in the prepared baking dish. Spread the batter evenly.
9. Step 9: Bake in the preheated oven for about 45 minutes, or until the cake is golden brown and pulls away slightly from the edges of the pan.
10. Step 10: Remove the cake from the oven and run a knife around the edges to loosen it. Carefully invert the baking dish onto a serving tray to release the cake with the pineapple topping.
11. Step 11: Allow the cake to cool for about 15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Tips & Variations

• For a richer flavor, use brown butter instead of melted regular butter.
• Swap maraschino cherries with fresh or frozen berries for a different twist.
• If you prefer a less sweet topping, reduce the brown sugar to 3/4 cup.
• Use a bundt pan instead of a 9×13 dish for a more traditional presentation.

Storage

Store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm individual slices in the microwave for about 20 seconds or until heated through. This cake is best enjoyed shortly after baking for optimal texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh pineapple instead of canned?

Yes, fresh pineapple can be used but make sure it’s sliced evenly and juice the pineapple to use the juice in the batter. Fresh pineapple may affect the baking time slightly.

Do I need to grease the pan before adding butter and sugar?

No, the melted butter spread evenly covers the pan and, combined with the brown sugar, creates a sticky caramelized layer preventing the cake from sticking.

Pineapple Upside Down Cake Made with Cake Mix Recipe

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4.7 from 127 reviews

This classic Pineapple Upside Down Cake made with a yellow cake mix is an easy and delicious dessert featuring caramelized pineapple slices and maraschino cherries atop a moist, buttery cake. The cake is prepared by layering melted butter, brown sugar, pineapple, and cherries at the bottom of the pan before pouring a pineapple-flavored cake batter over it and baking until golden brown.

• Author: Natalie
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 12 servings 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Topping

• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 can (20 ounces) sliced pineapple
• 18 maraschino cherries

Batter

• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 box (15.25 ounces) yellow cake mix
• Pineapple juice from the canned pineapple, supplemented with water to make 1 cup total liquid

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it reaches the proper temperature for baking the cake evenly.
2. Prepare Topping Layer: Pour the melted butter into a 9×13 inch baking dish and spread it evenly over the bottom. Then sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over the butter.
3. Arrange Pineapple and Cherries: Place the pineapple slices neatly over the brown sugar layer and put one maraschino cherry in the center of each pineapple ring to create the classic look and flavor combination.
4. Mix Liquid for Batter: Pour the pineapple juice from the can into a measuring cup and add water to the pineapple juice until the total reaches 1 cup of liquid. This liquid will flavor the cake batter.
5. Prepare Cake Batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine the pineapple juice mixture with the eggs and vegetable oil. Beat together until well combined. Then gradually stir in the yellow cake mix until the batter is smooth and free of lumps.
6. Assemble Cake: Pour the prepared batter over the pineapple and cherries in the baking dish. Gently spread the batter evenly so it covers the fruit layer completely.
7. Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes, or until the cake is golden brown and pulling away slightly from the edges of the pan.
8. Invert Cake: Remove the cake from the oven and run a knife around the edges to loosen it. Immediately flip the cake carefully onto a serving tray to reveal the caramelized pineapple topping, making sure to pour any remaining juices from the pan over the cake.
9. Cool and Serve: Allow the cake to cool for about 15 minutes before slicing and serving to let the topping set slightly for clean slices and optimal flavor.

Notes

• You can substitute pineapple tidbits for sliced pineapple if preferred for smaller fruit pieces.
• For a richer flavor, try using melted butter instead of vegetable oil in the batter.
• Make sure to handle the pan carefully when flipping to avoid spills or burns from hot caramelized sugar.
• This cake is best served slightly warm to enjoy the gooey pineapple topping and moist cake texture.

Keywords: pineapple upside down cake, easy cake recipe, cake mix dessert, pineapple dessert, classic cake