Zesty Cranberry Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Recipe

Sweet memories flood back with every slice of this nostalgic cranberry pineapple upside-down cake that combines tart berries and tropical fruit in a delightful dessert.

Generations of bakers have treasured this classic treat, passing down its rich, caramelized secrets.

Juicy cranberries nestle between golden pineapple rings, creating a stunning visual display when the cake is flipped.

The buttery cake base absorbs the vibrant fruit juices, promising a moist and flavorful experience.

Warm spices add depth to each bite, transforming a simple dessert into a celebration of comfort and tradition.

Each forkful tells a story of home-baked goodness and cherished moments around the table.

Prepare to fall in love with this timeless, irresistible cake that turns ordinary afternoons into special occasions.

Serving Up Cranberry Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

• Tropical Brunch Companion: Pair this cake with coconut mimosas or fresh passion fruit smoothies for a vibrant morning celebration.
• Dessert Drama Presentation: Dust the cake with powdered sugar, drizzle caramel sauce, and garnish with fresh mint leaves for a stunning visual impact.
• Elegant Accompaniment Choices: Serve alongside vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of mascarpone cream to enhance the cake's rich tropical flavors.
• Leftover Love Transformation: Crumble cold cake over Greek yogurt or use as a decadent topping for morning pancakes to extend its deliciousness.

How To Keep Cranberry Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Fresh

• Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap or place in an airtight container to maintain moisture and prevent flavor absorption from other foods.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the cake a day before serving to enhance flavor development. The fruit topping will continue to infuse delicious caramelized notes overnight, making each slice more delectable.
• Freezing Finesse: Slice the cake into individual portions and wrap each piece separately in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best texture and taste restoration.
• Room Temperature Recommendation: Keep the cake at room temperature for up to 2 days if serving within a short time frame. Place under a cake dome or loosely covered to prevent drying out while maintaining its soft, moist texture.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Calories: 290 kcal

Servings: 9

Ingredients In Cranberry Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

• Pineapple Rings: Sweet tropical fruit that creates a golden caramelized base with stunning visual appeal and juicy texture.
• Maraschino Cherries: Vibrant garnish that adds a pop of color and classic retro charm to the cake's surface.
• Cranberries: Tart berries that provide a bright, tangy contrast to the sweet pineapple and balance the overall flavor profile.

• All-Purpose Flour: Foundational ingredient that provides structure and creates a tender cake crumb.
• Baking Powder: Leavening agent ensuring the cake rises beautifully and maintains a light, fluffy texture.
• Baking Soda: Helps activate other ingredients and contributes to the cake's perfect rise.
• Salt: Enhances and balances the overall sweetness of the dessert.

• Butter: Softened dairy ingredient that creates rich, moist texture and carries deep flavor throughout the cake.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps create a golden, tender crumb.
• Eggs: Binding agent that provides structure and helps create a smooth, cohesive batter.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, complex flavor and aromatic depth to the cake.
• Sour Cream: Introduces moisture and tanginess, resulting in an exceptionally soft cake texture.
• Pineapple Juice: Amplifies fruity flavor and adds subtle moisture to the batter.

Tools For Cranberry Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

• 9-inch round cake pan or cast-iron skillet: Essential for creating the classic upside-down cake shape.
• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining cake batter ingredients smoothly.
• Medium mixing bowl: Ideal for whisking dry ingredients together.
• Electric mixer or whisk: Crucial for beating butter, sugar, and creating a fluffy batter.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Necessary for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Whisk: Great for blending dry ingredients and ensuring even distribution.
• Toothpick: Helps check cake doneness by testing the center.
• Serving plate: Used for inverting and presenting the finished cake.

How To Bake Cranberry Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

• Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to 350F and grab a round cake pan or skillet. Give it a quick spray or butter rub to prevent sticking.

• Create the Fruity Foundation

Drizzle melted butter across the pan’s bottom, sprinkle brown sugar evenly. Arrange pineapple rings like a sunny pattern, tuck cherries in their centers. Scatter cranberries around for bursts of color and tang.

• Mix the Magical Batter

Whisk flour, rising agents, and salt in one bowl. In another, cream butter and sugar until cloud-like and fluffy. Drop in eggs one by one, stirring after each. Splash in vanilla and sour cream. Fold dry ingredients gently, alternating with pineapple juice until just combined.

• Bake and Transform

Pour batter over the fruity base, smoothing the top. Slide into the oven for 40-45 minutes. Check doneness with a toothpick – it should come out clean. Let the cake rest briefly, then flip onto a serving plate.

• Slice and Savor

Wait a few minutes before cutting. Serve warm with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream if you’re feeling extra indulgent.

Baking Tips For Cranberry Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

• Perfect Fruit Placement: Arrange pineapple rings and cranberries in a visually appealing pattern before adding batter, ensuring every slice looks stunning and has balanced fruit distribution.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the cake a day ahead and store at room temperature, covered with plastic wrap – flavors will blend beautifully, making it even more delicious.
• Dietary Swap Solutions: Replace regular flour with gluten-free flour blend for celiac-friendly version. Use dairy-free butter and coconut cream instead of sour cream to create a vegan-friendly adaptation.
• Texture Enhancement Trick: Lightly toast your nuts or add a sprinkle of shredded coconut on top before baking to introduce extra crunch and depth of flavor to the cake's texture.
• Flavor Adventure Boost: Experiment with different fruit combinations like mixed berries, mandarin oranges, or peaches to create unique seasonal variations of this classic upside-down cake recipe.

Nostalgic Cranberry Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Scrumptious cranberry pineapple upside-down cake delights palates with its sweet-tart harmony of flavors. Festive dessert brings warmth to holiday gatherings, offering you a delectable slice of culinary joy.

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Ingredients

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• 6 pineapple rings (drained if using canned)
• 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
• 6 maraschino cherries (optional)
• ¼ cup (57 grams) unsalted butter, melted
• ½ cup (100 grams) brown sugar, packed
• 1 ½ cups (180 grams) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup (150 grams) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (120 ml) sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt)
• ½ cup (120 ml) pineapple juice (from canned pineapple or fresh)
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 ½ tsps baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp salt

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Lavishly coat a 9-inch round pan with butter, positioning the oven rack to middle and heating to 350F (175C).
2. Caramel Foundation: Generously drizzle melted butter across the pan’s bottom, sprinkle brown sugar, then artfully arrange pineapple rings with maraschino cherries nestled in their centers and cranberries scattered between for vibrant color contrast.
3. Batter Creation: Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy, then integrate eggs individually, blending in vanilla extract, sour cream, and pineapple juice. Fold dry ingredients into wet mixture alternately, maintaining a delicate texture without overmixing.
4. Baking Process: Pour batter evenly over fruit layer, then transfer to preheated oven. Bake 40-45 minutes until a toothpick inserted emerges clean, allowing the cake to develop a golden, perfectly risen profile.
5. Finishing Touches: Rest cake in pan for 10 minutes, then confidently invert onto a serving plate, revealing the stunning caramelized fruit topping. Cool slightly to let flavors harmonize, then slice and serve with optional whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for an indulgent experience.

Notes

• Prevent Sticking Carefully: Generously butter the pan and consider using parchment paper for easier cake removal and perfect presentation.
• Master Fruit Placement: Arrange pineapple rings and cranberries with precision, ensuring even distribution for consistent flavor and visual appeal in every slice.
• Control Batter Mixing: Fold ingredients gently and minimally to maintain the cake’s tender crumb, stopping just when ingredients are incorporated to avoid tough texture.
• Temperature Matters: Let ingredients like eggs and butter reach room temperature before mixing to ensure smoother blending and more consistent cake structure.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 25 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg