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Cast iron pineapple upside down cake with caramelized brown sugar, crushed pineapple glaze, and golden yellow cake flipped warm onto a platter from a vintage skillet.

Cast Iron Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Old-fashioned pineapple upside down cake baked in a cast iron skillet with butter, brown sugar, crushed pineapple, and yellow cake batter. Using crushed pineapple gives every slice sweet caramelized pineapple in every bite.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
10 minutes
Servings: 10 slices
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • Coat a well-seasoned cast iron skillet with Crisco or shortening.
  • Melt the butter in the skillet over low heat.
  • Stir in the brown sugar and cook gently until the mixture is caramelized glossy, and no longer grainy.
  • Stir the drained crushed pineapple into the butter and brown sugar mixture until evenly coated.
  • Spread the pineapple mixture evenly over the bottom of the skillet.
  • Pour prepared yellow cake batter over the pineapple mixture.
  • Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until the cake is golden and the center tests done.
  • Let cool until the skillet handle is safe to hold but the cake is still warm.
  • Run a butter knife around the edges of the cake.
  • Place a large platter over the skillet and carefully flip the cake onto the platter.
  • If any topping sticks to the skillet lift it with a spatula and smooth it over the cake.
  • Serve warm or at room temperature.

Equipment

  • Cast iron skillet
  • mixing bowl
  • Wooden spoon or spatula
  • can opener
  • Strainer
  • butter knife
  • Large serving platter
  • Oven mitts
  • Ingredients
  • Crisco or shortening, for greasing skillet
  • 1 stick butter
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 can, 20 oz, crushed pineapple, drained
  • Prepared yellow cake batter, homemade or from 1 box yellow cake mix
  • Optional maraschino cherries

Method
 

  1. Use crushed pineapple for pineapple in every bite.
  2. Drain pineapple well to prevent a soggy topping.
  3. Flip while the cake is still warm so the caramel releases.
  4. A well-seasoned cast iron skillet gives the best flavor and release.

Notes

Use crushed pineapple for pineapple in every bite.
Drain pineapple well to prevent a soggy topping.
Flip while the cake is still warm so the caramel releases.
A well-seasoned cast iron skillet gives the best flavor and release.