Description
This Pineapple Upside-Down Cake with Coconut features caramelised pineapple and cherries baked beneath a soft, buttery coconut sponge. It is a simple yet impressive dessert with bright tropical flavour and a glossy fruit topping.
Ingredients
2 tbsp soft light brown sugar
30 g unsalted butter, softened
Small tin (about 227 g) pineapple rings in juice, drained (juice reserved)
4 glacé cherries, halved
175 g unsalted butter, at room temperature
175 g caster sugar
175 g self-raising flour
3 large eggs
50 g desiccated coconut
1/2 tsp vanilla bean paste
Pinch ground cinnamon
3 tbsp reserved pineapple juice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan). Grease and line the base of a 20 cm round cake tin with baking paper.
- In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and 30 g softened butter until combined. Spread evenly over the base of the prepared tin.
- Place one pineapple ring in the centre of the tin. Cut the remaining rings in half and arrange them around the centre ring with curved sides facing outward. Place a cherry half in the centre of each pineapple piece.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the butter, caster sugar, self-raising flour, eggs, desiccated coconut, vanilla bean paste, cinnamon, and reserved pineapple juice. Beat until smooth and well combined.
- Spoon the batter over the pineapple layer and gently spread it evenly.
- Bake in the centre of the oven for about 60 minutes, or until golden and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then carefully invert it onto a wire rack. Remove the baking paper and allow the cake to cool before serving.
Notes
Add lime zest to the batter for a fresher tropical flavour.
Coconut extract can be used instead of vanilla bean paste to enhance the coconut taste.
Replace part of the caster sugar with light brown sugar for a deeper flavour.
Scatter toasted coconut flakes over the finished cake for extra texture.
Mango or peach slices can replace some of the pineapple for a different fruit topping.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 4 days.
Warm slices in the microwave for 10–15 seconds before serving if desired.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
