Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Melt 6 tablespoons unsalted butter and pour the melted butter into a cake pan or oven-safe skillet, tilting to coat the bottom evenly.
- Sprinkle 2/3 cup light brown sugar evenly over the melted butter.
- Arrange 8 pineapple rings in a single layer over the brown sugar. Place maraschino cherries in the centers of the rings and in any open spaces.
- In a medium bowl, sift and whisk together 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, cream 3/4 cup softened unsalted butter with 1 cup sugar on medium speed until the mixture is pale and slightly fluffy, about 3–4 minutes, scraping down the bowl once or twice.
- Add 2 large eggs, 1/4 cup pineapple juice, and 1 tablespoon vanilla extract to the creamed mixture and beat until combined.
- With the mixer running on low, add half of the flour mixture and mix until incorporated. Add half of the 1/2 cup whole milk and mix until incorporated. Repeat with the remaining flour mixture and then the remaining milk, mixing just until the batter is fully combined; the batter will be somewhat thick.
- Use a spatula to transfer the batter over the arranged pineapple and cherries, spreading it gently and evenly so you do not displace the fruit.
- Bake for 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Remove the cake from the oven and let it rest in the pan for 10 minutes. If needed, run a knife around the edge to loosen.
- Place a cake stand or serving plate over the pan and carefully invert the cake onto it. Lift the pan away gently; if any fruit sticks to the pan, loosen it gently before serving.
- Slice and serve warm or at room temperature. Great with ice cream or whipped cream if desired.
Notes
Notes
If using fresh pineapple, you'll need to purchase extra pineapple juice. Most canned pineapple slices are filled with 100% pineapple juice.
A cast-iron skillet is traditional, but we find a 9-inch cake pan with 2-inch sides works just as well, and is much easier to invert and release the cake onto a platter.
The batter is fairly thick and will require a spatula or the back of a large spoon to help the batter out of the mixing bowl and to spread evenly over the pineapples and cherries.
Maraschino cherries can be found in the canned fruit section of your grocery store, or in the adult beverage condiment section.
Insert a toothpick into the cake when the baking time is finished. If no batter sticks to the toothpick when removed from the cake, it's ready. If there is wet batter (not cake crumbs), then bake for another 5 to 10 minutes, and re-try the toothpick check. Once no wet batter is stuck to the toothpick, the cake is ready.
We find the cake is best served warm, soon after baking. But can also easily be briefly reheated in the microwave when serving the next day. It's also delicious at room temperature.
If using fresh pineapple, you'll need to purchase extra pineapple juice. Most canned pineapple slices are filled with 100% pineapple juice.
A cast-iron skillet is traditional, but we find a 9-inch cake pan with 2-inch sides works just as well, and is much easier to invert and release the cake onto a platter.
The batter is fairly thick and will require a spatula or the back of a large spoon to help the batter out of the mixing bowl and to spread evenly over the pineapples and cherries.
Maraschino cherries can be found in the canned fruit section of your grocery store, or in the adult beverage condiment section.
Insert a toothpick into the cake when the baking time is finished. If no batter sticks to the toothpick when removed from the cake, it's ready. If there is wet batter (not cake crumbs), then bake for another 5 to 10 minutes, and re-try the toothpick check. Once no wet batter is stuck to the toothpick, the cake is ready.
We find the cake is best served warm, soon after baking. But can also easily be briefly reheated in the microwave when serving the next day. It's also delicious at room temperature.