Pineapple upside down cake with cake mix recipe

This Pineapple Upside Down Cake is ultra moist, tender, and flavorful- and it all starts with a box of yellow cake mix!

Pineapple Upside Down Cake has been a go-to special occasion cake for generations. This impressive dessert is prepared with a buttery brown sugar glaze, which coats the pineapple and maraschino cherry topping and seeps into the outer layer of the cake as it bakes.

Pineapple upside down cakes were originally prepared in cast iron skillets, but over the years, preparing the dessert in a baking dish, layer cake pan, or bundt cake pan has become much more common.

This classic cake is a year-round favorite, keep the recipe in mind for the holidays, for birthdays, or just because. We hope that you enjoy it!

How to Make an Easy Pineapple Upside Down Cake

You can find the full printable recipe card for this delicious dessert further down in this post. Here is a quick rundown of our steps!

For the Glaze and Fruit

• First, preheat the oven to 325 degrees F and grease and flour a bundt pan. (We used a 10 inch bundt pan).
• Pour the ¼ cup (½ stick) of melted butter into the bottom of the prepared bundt pan. Sprinkle the cup of light brown sugar on top of it.

• Next, place a strainer over a large bowl or measuring cup and pour the can of pineapple rings into it, reserving the juice. (We will be using ½ cup of the juice in the cake batter).

• Lay the pineapple rings onto napkins or paper towels and gently blot them. Blot the maraschino cherries as well to prevent excess liquid from forming as the cake bakes.

• Arrange the pineapple rings on top of the layer of light brown sugar. I applied mine so that they had a slight overlap. Within the center or each ring, place a maraschino cherry.

Preparing the Cake Batter for Pineapple Upside Down Cake

The doctored yellow cake recipe for this dessert is based on the recipe that we used for our Easy Rum Cake. It calls for an extra egg and box of instant vanilla pudding (in addition to a bit of pineapple juice, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla).

The additional egg gives it a slightly denser consistency (in a good way) and finer crumb, and the vanilla pudding creates a really nice, velvety texture.

Sifting the cake mix is optional but it is something that I like to do as I feel that it enhances the texture of the cake. After sifting into the mixing bowl, add the remaining ingredients: the four room temperature eggs, pineapple juice, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract.

Mix the ingredients at medium speed for one minute, pause to scrape down the bowl as needed with a rubber spatula, and mix for one more minute.

Time to Bake the Cake

Scoop the yellow cake batter into the bundt pan, covering the brown sugar and fruit layers.

Bake for 45-50 minutes or until a skewer or toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean or with just a few crumbs attached.

As always, baking times may vary- check your cake for doneness as it approaches the 45 minute mark. Cool the cake in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting it onto your cake plate or pedestal.

Next, place the pedestal on top the the cake pan, and carefully flip it all as one (using dish towels or oven mitts to protect your hands from the heat.)Leave the bundt pan upside down for a minute or two to give the the glaze a little more time to drip down.

Serve the pineapple upside down cake warm or cool. If not serving right away, it is best to refrigerate and then remove from the refrigerator 2-3 of hours before serving.

More Cakes to Try

If you love pineapple desserts, don't miss these other favorite recipes!

Pineapple Cake from Scratch

Pineapple Coconut Cake

Orange Pineapple Cake

Classic Hummingbird Cake

Enjoy the Recipe!

Thanks so much for stopping by the blog! We hope that you enjoy this pineapple upside down cake as much as we have.

Keep this recipe in mind the next time you need to whip up something quick, delicious, and beautiful! It is sure to be a crowd pleaser!

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Easy Pineapple Upside Down Cake

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This moist , easy Pineapple Upside Down Bundt Cake is the perfect special occasion cake. It looks impressive and is so flavorful with the brown sugar & pineapple glaze- and it starts with a yellow cake mix!

Can I substitute pineapple juice for water in a cake mix?

Use pineapple juice to make a cake from a boxed mix. Simply replace the oil, milk, or water called for in the recipe with pineapple juice in equal proportions. A yellow or white cake works best, since the pineapple flavor could clash or get lost if you use chocolate or another flavor.

What can I add to a box cake to make it taste homemade?

Try adding a few of these tips to your box cake mix taste better!.

Use milk instead of water. ... .

Add extra eggs. ... .

Add sugar and flour to the dry mix. ... .

Use coffee instead of water for chocolate cakes. ... .

Sour Cream is perfect for adding moisture and rich flavor. ... .

Pudding adds moisture and flavor..

What is the point of an upside

A Short History of Pineapple Upside Down Cake The origins of the pineapple upside down cake date back hundreds of years, when people would cook on cast-iron skillets over open fires. When they wanted a sweet treat, they would line the bottom of the pans with fruit, and pour batter on top.

Is Pineapple Upside Down Cake better warm or cold?

Do You Eat Pineapple Upside Down Cake Warm? This soft, simple dessert can be served warm or cold. Either way, the pineapple flavor will be light and tasty. If you serve it warm, top it with vanilla ice cream for amazing combination.