Retro Recipe Redo is a new Quick Dish series that gives old recipe faves a mini makeover so they’re easier and quicker for today’s busy cooks.
Variations
Lower the fat: Cut the butter down to 1/4 cup for the brown-sugar topping mixture if you really, really must. I looooove butter, so I kept it at the old-fashioned proportion, but (as much as I hate to admit it) the recipe works great either way.
Flavor the water: Instead of plain water, use water plus juice from the pineapple can and maraschino cherries jar to add up to the same liquid measurement for the cake batter.
Add other fruit: Peaches or blueberries or other stuff work with (or instead of) the pineapple. Experiment!
Oh, nuts! Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts over the brown sugar to add the crunch you love.
Gluten free: Yep, there’s even an easy gluten free version that starts with a Betty Crocker gluten free cake mix.
Easy Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
Ingredients
1 (18 ounce) boxes yellow cake mix
3 eggs ( or as called for by your cake mix)
1/3 cup oil ( or as called for by your cake mix)
1 1/3 cups water ( or as called for by your cake mix)
1 cup dark brown sugar
1/4-1/2 cup butter
1 (20 ounce) cans sliced pineapple
1 (8 ounce) jars maraschino cherries (optional)
halved walnuts (optional)
Directions
Follow instructions on cake box for making an oblong single layer cake.
Prepare cake batter and set aside.
Cut up butter in small pieces and place all over the bottom of the oblong pan specified on cake box.
Sprinkle brown sugar generously over the butter.
Place pan on the stove (or in the oven) and heat slowly until butter and sugar melt to a liquid then remove from heat.
Evenly space the pineapple slices around the bottom of pan in the heated sugar and butter.
Place the cherries and nuts between the pineapple slices (Tho the cherries and nuts look nice and taste great, they are optional).
Pour cake batter on top of the pineapple/cherry/nut mixture.
Place in oven and bake as directed on cake box.
As soon as cake is done place a plate over the cake and turn upside down and carefully remove pan.
If you wait too long the sugar will harden and be difficult to remove.
