Pineapple Upside Down Skillet Cake
This super easy dessert recipe is on that any one cake make. This classic pineapple upside down skillet cake is made in a cast iron skillet, giving it an extra rustic touch!
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Maybe I'm the only one that's like this, but I get this itch to bake when I haven't in a while. Since we are currently living with my parents while we renovate our home, I don't bake as often as I would in our own home. I also find that it's a lot more difficult to bake or spend a ton of time cooking for fun with Greyson.
This dessert is one I've been dreaming of for weeks. It all started when my mom bought a can of pineapple slices the other day. It's summer time, which means I'm already loving all of the fruits and eating as many as possible lately. Pineapple has just sounded so good now that it's officially summer and temps are high.
I knew immediately after seeing the can of pineapple that I needed to make this dessert. In college, I worked at a steakhouse we had on campus and one of our desserts was a sheet pan pineapple upside down cake. Ever since trying it (a few times) at the restaurant, I've wanted to make it from scratch.
When I was doing some research on classic pineapple upside down cake recipes, I found that a lot of them are made with a box cake mix. I don't have any issue using cake mixes for recipes, but I just really wanted to make this as homemade as possible. Lately, I've been making this skillet cake recipe from my friend at Feast + West and decided it was the perfect recipe to tweak a little to make this pineapple upside down skillet cake.
The main ingredient that is important in this recipe, surprisingly, isn't the pineapple. It's the brown sugar on the bottom of the pan. If you've ever had pineapple upside down cake and wondered what made it so good and so recognizable, the brown sugar is the key.
Making this dessert definitely satisfied my need to bake and it's seriously a perfect dessert for a barbecue, party, or just because this summer!
Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Ingredients
Topping
- 4 tablespoons melted butter
- ¼ cup packed brown sugar
- 15 ounces canned pineapple slices (9 slices), *reserve 2 tablespoons juice
Cake
- 4 tablespoons butter softened
- ¾ cup sugar
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon coarse salt
- ½ cup milk
- 2 tablespoons pineapple juice reserved from can
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350ºF.
- Pour 4 tablespoons melted butter into an 8-inch baking pan.
- Add ¼ cup packed brown sugar and smooth it in bottom of the pan.
- Line 9 slices from 15 ounces canned pineapple slices in a single layer over the brown sugar. *Cut some of the slices in half to place along the edges of pan.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 1 cup all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon baking powder, ¼ teaspoon baking soda, and ½ teaspoon coarse salt.
- In a separate bowl, use an electric mixer on medium speed to beat 4 tablespoons butter and ¾ cup sugar until pale and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes. Beat in 2 large egg yolks.
- Add flour mixture to wet ingredients in 3 batches, alternating with ½ cup milk; beating on medium-low speed until combined.
- Pour in 2 tablespoons pineapple juice and combine. Don't over mix.
- Transfer batter to the prepared pan; smooth the top.
- Bake cake in preheated 350℉ oven for 30-33 minutes, until golden brown and a cake tester or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let cake cool in the pan, then cut slices and flip them upside down to serve.
Notes
Nutrition
What are you craving this summer?
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This recipe is wonderful! I used a double batch because my skillet is large. One thing I noticed, when doubling my batch, the x2 is applied to the ingredients, but not the instructions. I was left with 1/2 stick butter from my batter and ended up having to add that last. I should have paid more attention and hopefully I didn't screw it up too badly, lol. Thank you!
What happened to the ingredient list? How much baking soda,baking powder,sugar,milk ect.??? Just a wondering.
Hi Sarah! Thank you for pointing that out. There was a glitch with the recipe card. The ingredients have been updated!
This looks super duper delicious! A must-try!
Yes! Definitely try it out 🙂
I don't use my iron skillet enough (and I guess I mean like actually never!) That needs to change!
I've really learned you can use it for so many things!!
This looks so yummy! I want a slice with a cup of coffee!
Yes, yes! Perfect with coffee 🙂
You're so right... the brown sugar on the bottom is what makes it so iconic!
I hadn't ever thought of it before I made it and then I was like oh yes, that's exactly what this should taste like!
Pineapple upside down cake is seriously one of my absolute fave cakes ever!!!
I love pineapple, and this looks delicious. Can't wait to try out the recipe.
Pineapple is one of my favorites, too!
This sounds really yummy and simple to make!
Yes! It really is 🙂 You can even sub out a cake mix if you wanted to!
This looks so delicious!
Thanks Chelsea!
I would have never thought of making this in a skillet! Jacob loves pineapple upside down cake, so I will have to give this version a try!
I have been using a cast iron skillet SO much because my mom has one! I'm definitely going to need one when we move into our own place again! Jacob would love it 🙂