Description
A modern take on a classic American dessert, featuring a caramelized pineapple base and a moist vanilla sponge. Perfect for evoking sunshine on a plate with a high-altitude friendly recipe that’s easy to prepare and share with loved ones.
Ingredients
Vanilla Cake:
½ cup unsalted butter
¾ cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp non-alcoholic vanilla flavoring or almond extract
1½ cups all-purpose flour
1½ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
½ cup whole milk or coconut milk
Cake Base:
¼ cup melted salted butter
½ cup packed brown sugar
10 pineapple slices
12 non-alcoholic maraschino cherries or fresh cherries
Pineapple juice (from crushed pineapple if using no syrup variety)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and place rack in lower third of oven
Dampen paper towels and wipe insides of 9.5-10″ pie plate to remove residue
Pour melted butter across bottom and up 1″ of sides; use spatula to coat evenly
Sprinkle brown sugar evenly over butter-coated area; use fork to create slight ridges
Lay pineapple slices in a hexagonal pattern on sugar base; trim slices as needed
Cut 4 leftover pineapple slices in half; arrange evenly around edges of pan
In a bowl, whisk butter and granulated sugar until smooth
Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition
Stir in non-alcoholic vanilla extract or almond extract
In separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt
Gradually add dry ingredients to butter mixture, mixing just until incorporated
Stir in half the pineapple juice into milk to loosen batter slightly
Pour batter over pineapple base, ensuring it evenly coats all exposed sugar areas
Bake for 40 minutes or until golden and a toothpick comes out clean
Let cake cool for 10 minutes in pan, then invert onto serving dish and cool fully
Serve at room temperature for best texture
Notes
For dairy-free option: use coconut milk instead of whole milk
Pineapple slices should overlap slightly for a compact base
Maraschino cherries can be substituted with fresh cherries or omitted
Invert immediately while warm to prevent sticking
Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 days
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 40
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 35mg