Pineapple Upside Down Cake is a classic with the sweet pineapple syrup that seeps into the cake but this pineapple upside down muffins recipe allows you to make individual-sized desserts. The buttery texture of the cake and the taste of sweet caramelized pineapple makes these a perfect dessert to make when pineapples are in season.
To make these pineapple upside down muffins, you first make a batter with butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, flour, salt, pineapple juice, and baking powder. Then, melted butter, brown sugar, maraschino cherries, and pineapple chunks get layered in muffin cups before being topped with the batter and baked. The results are adorable desserts with the robust taste of pineapple!
What are Pineapple Upside Down Muffins?
Pineapple upside down muffins are inspired by pineapple upside down cake, which likely has origins in the 1920s in the United States. It reached peak popularity during the 1950s and 1960s, but today, it is still a favorite dessert for many. The classic preparation is to layer butter, brown sugar, and pineapple in the bottom of a skillet or cake pan before topping it with the cake batter. Sometimes, this cake would include nuts or maraschino cherries as well. This recipe is basically a muffin version of the classic cake.
Pro Tips
- Line the muffin cups with cupcake liners to make it easy for you to remove them from the pan.
- Use room temperature ingredients for the batter as this ensures that the batter comes together easily.
- Feel free to use either fresh or canned pineapple for this recipe.
- You will know that the cake is baked through when an inserted skewer comes out clean.
- Feel free to add walnuts or pecans to the pineapple layer for extra crunch if desired.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Doesn’t the Pineapple Layer Have Any Caramelization?
If you find that the pineapple layer doesn’t caramelize, it could be that they are too wet. To remedy this, pat the pineapple dry before assembling the muffins.
Should I Use Fresh or Canned Pineapple?
You can use either fresh or canned pineapple in this recipe. In fact, canned pineapple is the best option if you choose to make this cake when it is out of season.
Can I Make Pineapple Upside Down Muffins as a Full-Sized Cake?
Yes, you can! Rather than assembling them as individual muffins, simply layer the ingredients in a round cake pan instead.
How to Store Pineapple Upside Down Muffins
If you have leftover pineapple upside down muffins, you can place them in a sealed container at room temperature where they should stay fresh for up to 5 days.
Ingredients
How to Make Pineapple Upside Down Muffins
In a bowl, beat the butter with the sugar until combined. Beat in the eggs and vanilla followed by the flour, salt, pineapple juice, and baking powder.
In a bowl, beat the butter with the sugar until combined. Beat in the eggs and vanilla followed by the flour, salt, pineapple juice, and baking powder.
Place muffin liners in a muffin pan. Add some melted butter to each muffin cup followed by 1 tsp of brown sugar and 1 maraschino cherry.
Place muffin liners in a muffin pan. Add some melted butter to each muffin cup followed by 1 tsp of brown sugar and 1 maraschino cherry.
Add the pineapple.
Add the pineapple.
Top the pineapple layer with the batter. Bake them in a 360 F (180 C) oven for 20 minutes.
Top the pineapple layer with the batter. Bake them in a 360 F (180 C) oven for 20 minutes.
Allow the muffins to cool before serving.
Allow the muffins to cool before serving.
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