Pineapple Upside Down Cake Classic Skillet Recipe

Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Pineapple Upside Down Cakes is a rich vanilla cake on the bottom with a dark crisp brown sugar topping sweetened with pineapple rings and maraschino cherries. The butter and brown sugar topping make a rich caramel glaze. A traditional dessert in the spring for Easter dinner as well as a bright flavored spring and summer dessert.
For our family, at Easter dinner one of the traditional desserts we have served for years is a traditional pineapple upside-down cake recipe. My mother always made pineapple upside-down cake in the spring and summer as a light Sunday dessert.
Jim’s mother has a fabulous skillet recipe that I have made once we got married. I do not have many recipes from my mother so I have loved that Jim’s mom shared her recipes from the ’40s and ’50s. Both my mom and Jim’s mom were married, raising their children, and being creative cooks in these years

This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link I will earn a small commission which helps keep my blog up and running but it won’t cost you a penny more)! Click here to read my full disclosure policy.
I want to share our family’s traditional skillet pineapple upside-down cake which we make every Easter. I also have a new pineapple-shaped baking pan I found in the closeout aisle at a kitchen store. I loved the cute shapes and I was planning a dinner party and wanted a dessert. This pan was so unique and I could make individual servings. Nordic Ware Pineapple Upside Down Mini Cake Pan
The Cake batter is rich and delicious with a hint of vanilla. The butter brown sugar glaze seeps down into the cake while cooking and adds to the flavor. The pineapple rings and cherries add just a bit of extra natural sweetness and a bright spring coloring. They all most look like flowers.
You can add more pineapple bits to the top and more cherries to the top if you want to load it up. If the cherries are not your favorite, you can substitute pecans for the middle. I always keep a jar of the maraschino carries in my pantry along with 2 cans of pineapple rings so any weekend when we want a fun dessert I can make this recipe so simple and quick.

Why a Cast Iron Skillet for your Pineapple Upside Cake?
Our family recipe calls for a large cast-iron skillet. However, you can use any baking round pan. The cast iron adds a depth of color to the caramelized top and adds more iron to your diet. If you do not have a cast-iron skillet this is the time to buy one.
They are so easy to use, you just need to make sure it is very very dry after rinsing or washing as they will rust if left out wet. Cast iron adds much need iron to a lot of people’s diet and can be kept for generations. I have my mother’s that is probably over 90 years old.
Your cast iron skillet is indestructible and can be good indoors as well as on your grill on a campfire. If cared for properly are non-stick. It is chemical-free. When you buy yours make sure to read the directions for washing and storing. They are so easy to use and will make your food taste better.
One of the best features is you can use any type of utensil on it most importantly metal. Never worry about scratching a pan again.

Supplies Needed:

Serving Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Serve this cake right out of the skillet after you turn it upside down. It is delicious warm with whip cream, instant whip topping, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
After one day I like to store the cake in the fridge. You can then reheat in the microwave or it is still super delicious cold. We mostly set the cake out on the counter to come to room temperature and top with lots of Redi Whip.

Tip for New Cooks
Both this traditional skillet pineapple upside-down cake recipe and the mini pancake recipe are basic and simple. Just gather your ingredients before you start and it will be mixed in no time.
The cakes keep well if you need to make a dessert ahead if you are having friends over or going to a family function. If you have only baked from a box mix do not be afraid. This is very simple with simple ingredients.
Print
Pineapple Upside Down Cake Classic Skillet Recipe
This Batter has a rich vanilla flavor that puffs up when baked, with a butter brown sugar caramelized glaze.
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Ingredients
For the bottom of the cast iron skillet:
- 1 cup Brown Sugar
- 2 Tablespoons of Butter
To Add to the skillet after the brown sugar and butter:
- 2 cans of pineapple rings in natural juices
- 2 jars of maraschino cherries
For the cake batter:
- 1/3 cup of butter, room temperature (softened)
- 1 cup White sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 & 3/4 cups flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup Milk
- 1 tsp Vanilla
Instructions
- Place a large 11-inch cast-iron skillet on medium heat.
- Add the 1/3 cup butter and 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet and melt. Turn off the heat.
- Next, add the pineapple rings on top of the melted butter and brown sugar in the skillet. Cut some in half or in 1/4 to cover as much of the skillet as you can.
- Add to the center of each Pineapple ring a Maraschino Cherry.
- Next, make the cake batter
- In a large bowl, with a stand or hand mixer, cream the 1/3 cup of softened butter and the one cup sugar, beat until well mixed, add the 2 eggs and beat until fluffy.
- In a separate medium bowl sift together with a sifter or shake together with a strainer the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Measure the milk and add the vanilla to the milk
- Combine the flour mixture and the milk mixture to the butter-sugar mixture 1/3 at a time until it comes together, do not over mix.
- Pour the cake batter into the skillet over the pineapple rings.
- Bake at 325° for 40 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes and then invert onto a serving platter.
Notes
- Do not leave too long in the skillet after baking or the sugar will stick to the bottom and you will not be able to get that fabulous look on top.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
Keywords: Pineapple Upside Down Cake

For more posts for summer and spring, check out these posts:
🖥~ Easter Chocolate Bunny Candy Kids Crafts
🖥~Irresistible Classic Scalloped Potatoes Recipe
🖥~ Electric Pressure Cooker Hard Boiled Eggs
my husbands favorite cake what a delicious treat and you are so right it is perfect for Easter come see us at http://shopannies.blogspot.com
This is one of those awesome traditional recipes from our mothers generation. It’s the perfect recipe for new bakers. I have not made this in a very long time. It’s time to make one again. Thanks
I adore Pineapple upside down cake it is so good – never tried it in a skillet I must try this Susan.
This looks amazing!
Thank you so much! The cake is a little heavier than a box mix but so much better.
This looks so pretty!! 🙂
I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Thanks for Bringing Your Post on the Pineapple upside down Easter Cake… to the Blogger’s Pit Stop 🙂 Looks Super yummy!
Pit stop Crew
I love pineapple upside cake! Thanks for sharing your recipe!