American Kitchen Classic Pineapple Upside Down Cake Food

HEIRLOOM PINEAPPLE UPSIDE DOWN CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Melt butter in bottom of a 9 or 10 inch cast iron skillet by either placing it in the oven or melting on the stove top over low heat. Don't let it brown.
• Cover melted butter with brown sugar spreading in an even layer.
• Put one slice of drained pineapple in the center and cut the other rings in half. Arrange the rest of the pineapple halves like a spoked wheel -- rounded edges facing the same way. You may have a few unused pieces.
• Fill spaces with nuts and candied cherries if you have them. (The cherries are pretty and I use them when I have them. The walnuts I think are great in this recipe so use them unless there is an allergy problem.).
• Make batter as directed below and pour over all.
• Bake for about 30 minutes, then check every five minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
• When done, run a knife around the edge to separate cake well from the edge of the skillet. Very important. You do not want that cake to stick when you try to flip it over.
• Let cool for a few minutes (just a few -- the cake can't set and cool or it will "glue" itself to the pan) so the syrup isn't like molten lava. While wearing kitchen mitts and long sleeves, (this stuff is hot and you do NOT want to splash any on you) place a large plate on top of the skillet and then in one smooth motion invert skillet and dump cake onto the plate.
• Allow to cool for about an hour and serve very warm.
• Make batter-------------------------------.
• Beat 4 egg yolks and sugar and pineapple juice until light.
• Sift flour and baking powder and fold into the egg/sugar mixture 1/3 cup at a time.
• Fold in 4 stiffly beaten egg whites.

OLD FASHIONED PINEAPPLE UPSIDE-DOWN CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
• In a 10-inch heavy skillet with a heat-resistant handle (I use a cast iron skillet), melt 1/2 cup butter over very low heat. Remove from heat, and sprinkle brown sugar evenly over pan. Arrange pineapple slices to cover bottom of skillet. Distribute cherries around pineapple; set aside.
• Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt.
• Separate the eggs into two bowls. In a large bowl, beat egg whites just until soft peaks form. Add granulated sugar gradually, beating well after each addition. Beat until medium-stiff peaks form. In a small bowl, beat egg yolks at high speed until very thick and yellow. With a wire whisk or rubber scraper, using an over-and-under motion, gently fold egg yolks and flour mixture into whites until blended. Fold in 1 tablespoon melted butter or margarine and almond extract. Spread batter evenly over pineapple in skillet.
• Bake until surface springs back when gently pressed with fingertip and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 30 to 35 minutes. Loosen the edges of the cake with table knife. Cool the cake for 5 minutes before inverting onto serving plate.

CLASSIC PINEAPPLE UPSIDE-DOWN CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°. In an ungreased 9-in. square baking pan, combine butter and brown sugar. Drain pineapple, reserving 1/3 cup juice. Arrange 9 pineapple slices in a single layer over sugar (refrigerate any remaining slices for another use). Sprinkle pecans over pineapple; set aside. , In a large bowl, beat egg yolks until thick and lemon-colored. Gradually add sugar, beating well. Blend in vanilla and reserved pineapple juice. Combine flour, baking powder and salt; add to batter, beating well. , In a small bowl with clean beaters, beat egg whites on high speed until stiff peaks form; fold into batter. Spoon into pan., Bake 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Let stand 10 minutes before inverting onto serving plate. Place a cherry in the center of each pineapple slice. If desired, serve with whipped topping.

AMERICAN KITCHEN CLASSIC PINEAPPLE UPSIDE DOWN CAKE

Steps:

• Line a dinner plate with paper towels. Lay the pineapple slices on the plate and blot them dry on both sides. Set aside.
• Lightly butter a 9 inch square baking pan. Combine the butter and maple syrup in a small saucepan over medium heat. When the butter melts, stir in the brown sugar.
• Bring to a slow boil and cook 30 seconds, stirring. Pour the mixture into the buttered pan. Tilt the pan to spread the mixture around.
• Lay the pineapple slices in three rows and put a cherry in the center of each ring. Press one pecan half, if using, in each gap between pineapple slices. Set aside.
• NOTE: If using a round skillet, heat the butter-maple syrup-brown sugar mixture right in the pan. Make a ring of pineapple slices, just touching, with one in the center and proceed with the cherries and pecans.
• To start the cake portion, preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Using an electric mixer on medium high, cream the butter, gradually adding sugar. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Beat in 1/3 cup of buttermilk, the molasses and the vanilla.
• Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon into a bowl. Add half of the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture and beat until smooth. Add the remaining buttermilk, beat to blend then add the remaining dry ingredients and beat to combine.
• Scrape the batter over the pineapple slices and smooth with a spoon or spatula.
• Bake on the center oven rack for 35-40 minutes, until the center of the cake springs back when touched. Put a platter or baking sheet over the pan and carefully invert the cake onto the platter or baking pan. Remove the pan. Wear long sleeves and oven mitts incase the hot glaze leaks out during inversion.
• Cool for at least 10 minutes before serving.