Glazed Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
A luscious pineapple upside-down cake featuring caramelized pineapple and walnuts, topped with a moist vanilla cake, perfect for special occasions or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Drain pineapple slices, reserving the juice.
- Combine the pudding mix with the reserved pineapple juice and set aside.
- Arrange pineapple slices in the bottom of a 13 x 9-inch pan.
- Place a walnut or maraschino cherry half in the center of each pineapple slice.
- Pour the prepared pudding mixture over the pineapple slices.
- Sprinkle brown sugar evenly over the pudding layer.
- In a large mixer bowl, combine cake mix, instant vanilla pudding, eggs, water, and oil.
- Blend the mixture until smooth.
- Beat at medium speed of an electric mixer for 4 minutes.
- Pour the batter over the pineapple and pudding layers in the pan.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 55 to 60 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean and the cake begins to pull away from the sides of the pan.
- Cool the cake in the pan for 5 minutes.
- Invert the cake onto a serving platter and let stand for 1 minute.
- Remove the pan and serve.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the cake batter. If you don't have walnut halves, pecans or slivered almonds work well as substitutes. To make this recipe even easier, you can use a box of yellow cake mix and instant pudding without any additional adjustments.
Serving Suggestions
Serve warm or at room temperature, topped with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful contrast. This cake pairs beautifully with Mom'S Wheat Rolls for a complete meal experience. Enjoy it as a dessert or a sweet treat with coffee or tea.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover glazed pineapple upside-down cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate it for up to a week. To reheat, microwave individual slices for about 15-20 seconds or warm in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Glazed Pineapple Upside-Down Cake contains roughly 1004 calories, with 9g protein, 111g carbohydrates, and 61g fat. It is an excellent source of calcium (20% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein and iron.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh pineapple instead of canned?
Yes, you can use fresh pineapple slices instead of canned. Just ensure they are ripe and juicy, and you will need to prepare them by cutting and possibly cooking them slightly in a pan to release some juice before adding to the cake.
How should I serve this cake for a gathering?
For a gathering, consider slicing the cake into squares and serving them on a decorative platter. Garnish with fresh mint leaves for a pop of color. This cake also looks great with a drizzle of caramel sauce, enhancing its sweetness and presentation.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).