• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Curry Trail

Simple Flavorful Recipes For The Home Cook

  • Starters/Appetizers
  • Main Dishes
  • Side Dish
  • Desserts
  • Summer Time Favorite
  • About Me
  • Starters/Appetizers
  • Main Dishes
  • Side Dish
  • Desserts
  • Summer Time Favorite
  • About Me
Home > Desserts > Mini Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

Mini Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

Last updated July 9, 2021. Originally posted July 9, 2021 By Jyothi Rajesh Leave a Comment

Jump to Recipe Rate this Recipe Print Recipe
close up view of upside-down mini pineapple cakes with text

Mini pineapple upside-down cakes are just like retro classic upside down pineapple cake but in mini form! This mini cake has everything you look forward to the retro classic dessert –pineapple rings at the bottom with caramelized edges with tender moist vanilla cake.

We love all things pineapple. Our favorite has always been grilled pineapple until I made upside down pineapple mini cakes. My kids now want me to make mini pineapple cakes and dole whip more often.

upside-down pineapple cakes on plate
Jump to:
  • About mini pineapple upside-down cake recipe
  • Ingredients you’ll need
  • How to make mini pineapple upside-down cakes
  • FAQS
  • 📋RECIPE: Mini Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

About mini pineapple upside-down cake recipe

1. The cake has two parts pineapple rings and cherry at the bottom and cake batter on top and baked. The cake is turned upside-down with pineapple rings glistering in sticky caramelized edges.

2. This pretty looking cake will sure put a smile on your face!

3. The recipe is real simple and very easy to make.

4. You’ll need jumbo muffin tins to bake this cheerful-looking cake. Don’t worry if you don’t have one. I have few tricks for you below.

5. If you like individual little desserts like us, this recipe is must try!

6. Pineapple upside-down cake brings back fond childhood memories.

Ingredients you’ll need

Here’s what you need:

For bottom layer (cake toppings)

  • 1 can pineapple rings
  • ⅓ cup butter
  • ⅔ cup brown sugar, tightly packed
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 6 maraschino cherries
all ingredients for mini pineapple upside-down cake toppings

For top layer (cake)

  • 2 eggs
  • ½ cup granulated white sugar
  • 3 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoon pineapple juice
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ⅔ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder (optional)
all ingredients for mini pineapple upside-down cake

Ingredients notes

  • Pineapple rings comes in juice and sugar syrup. I highly recommend pineapple rings in juice instead of syrup. Syrup ones are very sweet.
  • Maraschino cherries are preserved cherries in a cherry liqueur called maraschino. The real maraschino cherries are expensive and hard to source. I used regular preserved cherries.
  • Use white granulated sugar instead of mix of white and brown sugar in cake mix.

Ingredients additions & substitutions

To make adult cake, substitute vanilla extract with rum. Substitute vanilla with rum in both topping and cake batter.

To reduce the effort further, feel free to use yellow boxed cake mix instead of making it from scratch.

How to make mini pineapple upside-down cakes

Experts tip – make brown sugar butter topping after cake batter is done. The brown sugar butter syrup should be warm when you assemble the cake.

  • Pre heat oven at 350F.
  • In a bowl sieve all-purpose flour, salt, baking powder and cinnamon powder. Mix it together, keep aside.
  • In another large bowl beat eggs until creamed and fluffy, for about 2 minutes. Add white sugar and brown sugar, beat for a minute.
  • Add pineapple juice, vanilla extract (or rum if using), beat for few seconds to combine.
  • Now add dry ingredients. Whisk until combined. DO NOT over beat cake batter.
  • Keep batter aside.
step by step picture collage of mini pineapple cakes
  • Place pineapple rings on a tray lined with kitchen paper towel. Dab the rings dry with a paper towel on top. If you are using real maraschino cherries, place that too on paper towel to dry out excess liquid.
  • In a sauce pan add butter, brown sugar, salt and vanilla extract.
  • Whisk together and heat it until brown sugar is dissolved.
  • Remove sauce pan from heat and let it sit for few minutes.
  • Spray generous oil on muffin trays.
  • Pour a tablespoon of warm brown sugar-butter syrup at the bottom. (Note- I used regular muffin tray). For jumbo muffin trays you’ll need to add 2 tablespoon of brown sugar butter syrup.
  • Place pineapple rings on it.
  • Add halved cherry or full cherry (pitted) in the hole of pineapple rings.
  • Pour cake mix over to fill muffin tray ¾ of the way full.
  • Bake in pre-heated oven at 350F for 20 to 25 minutes(for jumbo muffin trays) or until toothpick comes out clean.
step by step picture collage of mini pineapple cakes

Note: cooking time will vary if use switch to regular muffin trays. Keep a close watch. Baking in regular muffin trays will need somewhere between 15 to 18 minutes. Check for done with toothpick test.

Pull them out of the oven and let it sit for 5 to 8 minutes.

Loosen the edges with butter knife. Place a cookie sheet on top of the muffin trays and flip them over. Mini pineapple upside-down cakes will come out clean onto the cookie sheet.

Enjoy immediately.

close up view of upside-down mini pineapple cakes

FAQS

Can I bake mini pineapple upside-down cakes even if I don’t have jumbo muffin tray?

You’ll need jumbo muffin tins to bake mini pineapple upside-down cake.  If you don’t have jumbo muffin tins, you can use regular muffin tins and follow one of these hacks:

1. I used regular muffin tins to make this mini pineapple upside-down cake. To make pineapple rings fit at the bottom on regular muffin tins, simply cut pineapple rings into smaller rings using donut cutter. The size of donut cutter you have matters. The one I have results in smaller pineapple rings that fit perfectly in regular muffin tins.

2. Use regular muffin tins and simply use crushed pineapple instead of rings. Look for crushed canned pineapple instead of pineapple rings.

What type of pineapple should I use?

Canned pineapple rings preserved in juice (it’s better than pineapple rings in syrup) is best choice. Fresh pineapple will not work for this mini cake recipe for many reasons. When fresh pineapple ring bakes, it’s fibrous and don’t turn caramelized as it’s not soaked in juice or syrup.

Definitely use canned pineapple rings.
If pineapple rings don’t fit the muffing trays you are using, check the above trick mentioned.upside-down pineapple cakes on plate

You can also make a full cake!

Follow the same instructions and bake a full pineapple upside-down cake using 9” round cake pan. Baking time needs to be adjusted for full cake. Bake at 350F for 30 minutes. Then cover with aluminum foil and bake for further 10-15 minutes, check the doneness with toothpick test.

How to store leftover mini pineapple cakes?

Pineapple cakes are best enjoyed the same day they are made. If you have leftovers, place them on a plate, cover tightly with plastic cling wrap and store in fridge for up to 3 days.

close up view of mini pineapple cakes

MORE PINEAPPLE RECIPES:

Grilled pineapple with brown sugar rum glaze

Thai pineapple fried rice

Pineapple smoothie

Disney’s pineapple dole whip

Grilled pineapple shrimp skewers

Don’t forget to Subscribe to CurryTrail  Recipes newsletter to get our newest recipes delivered straight to your inbox.

LOVE THIS RECIPE? KEEP IN TOUCH AND DON’T MISS OUT ON ANY OF CURRYTRAIL RECIPES! FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM, PINTEREST, FACEBOOK, TWITTER.

HAVE YOU TRIED ONE OF MY RECIPES? I’D LOVE TO SEE WHAT YOU’VE MADE! TAKE A PICTURE AND USE THE HASHTAG #CURRYTRAIL ON INSTAGRAM SO I CAN SEE! I’LL DO A HAPPY DANCE IF YOU TRY MY RECIPE AND SHARE IT WITH US!

upside-down pineapple cakes on plate
close up view of upside-down mini pineapple cakes
5 from 2 votes

📋RECIPE: Mini Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

Jyothi Rajesh
Mini pineapple upside-down cakes are just like retro classic upside down pineapple cake but in mini form! This mini cake has everything you look forward to the retro classic dessert –pineapple rings at the bottom with caramelized edges with tender moist vanilla cake.
Prevent your screen from going dark
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 20 mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings
Calories 364

Ingredients
  

For bottom layer – cake toppings

  • 1 can pineapple rings
  • ⅓ cup butter
  • ⅔ cup brown sugar tightly packed
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 6 maraschino cherries

For top layer – cake

  • 2 eggs
  • ½ cup granulated white sugar
  • 3 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoon pineapple juice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ⅔ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder optional

Instructions
 

  • Pre heat oven at 350F.
  • In a bowl sieve all-purpose flour, salt, baking powder and cinnamon powder. Mix it together, keep aside.
  • In another large bowl beat eggs until creamed and fluffy, for about 2 minutes. Add white sugar and brown sugar, beat for a minute.
  • Add pineapple juice, vanilla extract (or rum if using), beat for few seconds to combine.
  • Now add dry ingredients. Whisk until combined. DO NOT over beat cake batter.
  • Keep batter aside.
  • Place pineapple rings on a tray lined with kitchen paper towel. Dab the rings dry with a paper towel on top. If you are using real maraschino cherries, place that too on paper towel to dry out excess liquid.
  • In a sauce pan add butter, brown sugar, salt and vanilla extract.
  • Whisk together and heat it until brown sugar is dissolved.
  • Remove sauce pan from heat and let it sit for few minutes.
  • Spray generous oil on muffin trays.
  • Pour a tablespoon of warm brown sugar-butter syrup at the bottom. (Note- I used regular muffin tray). For jumbo muffin trays you’ll need to add 2 tablespoon of brown sugar butter syrup.
  • Place pineapple rings on it.
  • Add halved cherry or full cherry (pitted) in the hole of pineapple rings.
  • Pour cake mix over to fill muffin tray ¾ of the way full.
  • Bake in pre-heated oven at 350F for 20 to 25 minutes(for jumbo muffin trays) or until toothpick comes out clean.
  • Note: cooking time will vary if use switch to regular muffin trays. Keep a close watch. Baking in regular muffin trays will need somewhere between 15 to 18 minutes. Check for done with toothpick test.
  • Pull them out of the oven and let it sit for 5 to 8 minutes.
  • Loosen the edges with butter knife. Place a cookie sheet on top of the muffin trays and flip them over. Mini pineapple upside-down cakes will come out clean onto the cookie sheet.
  • Enjoy immediately.

Video

Notes

You’ll need jumbo muffin tins to bake mini pineapple upside-down cake.  If you don’t have jumbo muffin tins, you can use regular muffin tins and follow one of these hacks:
  1. I used regular muffin tins to make this mini pineapple upside-down cake. To make pineapple rings fit at the bottom on regular muffin tins, simply cut pineapple rings into smaller rings using donut cutter. The size of donut cutter you have matters. The one I have results in smaller pineapple rings that fit perfectly in regular muffin tins.
  2. Use regular muffin tins and simply use crushed pineapple instead of rings. Look for crushed canned pineapple instead of pineapple rings.
The recipe yields 6 jumbo muffin cakes or 10 regular muffin cakes.
 
Nutritional Info – Please keep in mind that nutritional information provided is only a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on products used.

Nutrition

Calories: 364kcalCarbohydrates: 62gProtein: 4gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 82mgSodium: 605mgPotassium: 172mgFiber: 1gSugar: 50gVitamin A: 403IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 77mgIron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe?Follow @CurryTrail and tag #CurryTrail to share your creation!
28 shares
Previous
Greek Orzo Pasta Salad
Next
Bruschetta Chicken Pasta

Reader Interactions

Leave A Reply! Cancel reply

Share your thoughts!
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked with *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Jyothi - Author of Curry Trail.

Welcome, I'm Jyothi

My food philosophy is simple, fresh and full of flavors! I love ‘spicy’ food. In fact so much so that I can skip dessert for extra spicy savory food!

More About Me

Free Bonus

5 Quick & Healthy Dinners That Are Tasty!

When you subscribe to all the latest recipes!

    Featured Recipes

    • best Thai chicken Panang curry served with steamed rice in white ceramic bowl
      Thai Panang Curry Recipe With Chicken
    • Soft boiled egg placed over a bowl of spicy sriracha ramen noodle soup in white bowl
      Sriracha Spicy Ramen Noodles Soup
    • boom boom sauce in small bowl with potato fries
      5 Minutes Boom Boom Sauce
    • creamy chicken bacon ranch pasta in plate
      Creamy Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
    • baked tilapia
      Garlicky Chili Lemon Baked Tilapia Recipe
    • chili butter garlic noodles in white ceramic bowl with chopsticks on side
      15 Minutes Chili Butter Garlic Noodles
    Featured on:
    Yummly Logo.
    Tastewise Logo.
    Plattershare Logo.
    parade Logo.
    Greatist Logo.
    Foodgawker Logo.
    Buzzfeed Logo.
    Free Bonus

    5 Quick & Healthy Dinners That Are Tasty!

      Curry Trail Submark Logo.

      Connect With me

      Categories

      • Starters/Appetizers
      • Breakfast
      • Lunch/Dinner
      • Main Dishes
      • Side Dish
      • Desserts

      About

      • About Me
      • Contact Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Latest
      ©2023, Curry Trail. All Rights Reserved. About Privacy Policy
      Back To Top
      Design by Pixel Me Designs
      ×

      Free Bonus

      5 Quick & Healthy Dinners That Are Tasty!

      When you subscribe to all the latest recipes!

        28 shares
        • Facebook
        • Twitter
        • Pinterest
        • Yummly
        • Email