Tiki-Inspired Spiced Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
A moist, tender cake infused with warm tiki spices topped with caramelized pineapple rings for a tropical dessert centerpiece. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 60 minutes layers divided unsalted butter, packed brown sugar, rings pineapple rings, canned or fresh into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 8, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp, divided unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup, packed brown sugar
- 6 rings pineapple rings, canned or fresh
- 6 maraschino cherries
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup whole milk
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a 9-inch round cake pan, melt 2 tbsp unsalted butter over low heat. Sprinkle 1/2 cup packed brown sugar evenly over the melted butter, then arrange 6 pineapple rings on top. Place a maraschino cherry in the center of each pineapple ring.
- Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/4 tsp salt, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground ginger, and 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, beat 3/4 cup granulated sugar with 2 large eggs and 1 tsp vanilla extract until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes).
- Step 4: Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture alternately with 1/2 cup whole milk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined.
- Step 5: Melt remaining 2 tbsp unsalted butter and fold gently into the batter.
- Step 6: Pour the batter evenly over the pineapple and brown sugar layer in the cake pan, smoothing the top.
- Step 7: Bake for 40-45 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the edges are golden.
- Step 8: Cool the cake in the pan for 10 minutes, then invert onto a serving plate so the pineapple rings are on top. Serve warm or at room temperature with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for a tropical tiki-inspired treat.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Tiki-Inspired Spiced Pineapple Upside-Down Cake take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (15 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Tiki-Inspired Spiced Pineapple Upside-Down Cake?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Tiki-Inspired Spiced Pineapple Upside-Down Cake?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Tiki-Inspired Spiced Pineapple Upside-Down Cake for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Tiki-Inspired Spiced Pineapple Upside-Down Cake?
American desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
