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    Home » Recipes

    03/31/2021

    Easy Duncan Hines Pineapple Upside Down Cake

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    This Duncan Hines Pineapple Upside Down Cake is soft, fluffy, and moist. Made with Duncan Hines cake mix with a beautiful topping of caramelized pineapples and maraschino cherries, this classic recipe is so easy to prepare with a secret shortcut. It might be old-fashioned, but it’s far from boring!

    This Duncan Hines Pineapple Upside Cake is soft, fluffy, and moist. Made with Duncan Hines cake mix with a beautiful topping of caramelized pineapples and maraschino cherries, this classic recipe is so easy to prepare with a secret shortcut. It might be old-fashioned, but it’s far from boring!

    When I need a quick and easy dessert, I often make Bisquick Coffee Cake, Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie Cups, and this gorgeous cake mix pineapple upside-down cake.

    This pineapple upside-down cake comes together in no time, using a box of Duncan Hines Cake mix. This handy shortcut ensures your cake comes out perfectly every time, without you having to start from scratch.

    Table of Contents Show
    Ingredients and Substitutes
    How to Make Duncan Pineapple Upside Down Cake
    Step 1: Prepare the Topping
    Step 2: Prepare the Cake Batter
    Step 3: Bake & Flip the Cake
    Tips & Tricks
    Duncan Hines Pineapple Upside Down Cake Topping
    How to Flip the Baked Pineapple Upside-down Cake
    Can I Substitute Pineapple Juice for Water in the Cake Mix?
    How Can I Keep Pineapple Upside Down Cake from Getting Soggy?
    Variations
    Pineapple Upside Down Cupcakes
    Pineapple Upside Down Bundt Cake
    Pineapple Upside Down Cake with Vanilla Pudding
    Duncan Hines Pineapple Upside Down Cake Recipe

    Ingredients and Substitutes

    Closeup showing pineapple rings
    • Melted Butter: You’ll need melted butter to make your caramelized fruit topping. It’s better to use unsalted butter.
    • Brown Sugar: Brown sugar gives the best flavor to this cake, but you may substitute it with white granulated sugar.
    • Pineapple Slices: Use canned pineapple slices, available in any grocery store. If you have fresh pineapples, feel free to use them.
    • Maraschino Cherries: These bright red cherries are syrupy sweet and can be found in the baking aisle.
    • Duncan Hines Cake Mix: This classic cake mix can be found in any supermarket. Look for the bright red box.
    • Other ingredients called for on the box including water, oil, and eggs.

    How to Make Duncan Pineapple Upside Down Cake

    Step 1: Prepare the Topping

    Making the topping
    • Pour melted butter into a 9-inch pie plate. Spread the butter evenly to cover the entire bottom.
    • Sprinkle brown sugar evenly on top of the butter.
    • Add pineapple slices on top of the brown sugar.
    • Place maraschino cherries in the center of pineapple slices. Set aside.

    Step 2: Prepare the Cake Batter

    Making the cake mix batter.
    • Prepare the cake batter according to the instructions on the package
    • Pour and spread the cake batter evenly over the topping.

    Step 3: Bake & Flip the Cake

    Baking the cake
    • Bake for 45-50 minutes. Loosely cover with foil after 30 minutes to prevent the top from over-browning.
    • Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool for about 15 minutes. Then carefully invert the cake onto a serving plate.
    This Duncan Hines Pineapple Upside Cake is soft, fluffy, and moist. Made with Duncan Hines cake mix with a beautiful topping of caramelized pineapples and maraschino cherries, this classic recipe is so easy to prepare with a secret shortcut. It might be old-fashioned, but it’s far from boring!

    Tips & Tricks

    • Room temperature ingredients: Any pastry chef will tell you that using room temperature ingredients results in a soft and fluffy cake. Take your eggs and other ingredients out of the fridge and let them get to room temperature before you start mixing.
    • Make sure your cake pan is deep enough: To prevent the cake batter from overflowing, you’ll need a cake pan that’s at least 2-inch deep.
    • Dry pineapple slices: Drain the juice from the canned pineapples, then use a paper towel to get rid of excess liquid from the slices. Doing this prevents the cake batter from overflowing during baking.  You also don’t want a wet, soggy cake.
    • Don’t grease the pan: because of how buttery the cherry-pineapple topping is, there’s no need to grease the pan.

    Duncan Hines Pineapple Upside Down Cake Topping

    The caramelized cherry pineapple topping is the star of the show! You’ll need melted butter, brown sugar, pineapple slices, and maraschino cherries. Be sure to drain the pineapple juice and use a paper towel to dry the slices before putting them into your baking pan. We also recommend refrigerating the topping before pouring in the batter for the best result.

    How to Flip the Baked Pineapple Upside-down Cake

    After all your hard work, it’s time for the big reveal! Flipping your pineapple upside-down cake is a simple, but critical step. You must allow the cake to cool for 10-15 minutes after removing it from the oven. Use a knife to gently loosen any of the cake that may be baked onto the edge of the pan. Place a large plate on top of the pan and, using oven mitts (as it’ll be VERY hot), flip the cake over in one firm, swift motion. Set your plate down and carefully slide the pan off.

    This Duncan Hines Pineapple Upside Cake is soft, fluffy, and moist. Made with Duncan Hines cake mix with a beautiful topping of caramelized pineapples and maraschino cherries, this classic recipe is so easy to prepare with a secret shortcut. It might be old-fashioned, but it’s far from boring!

    Can I Substitute Pineapple Juice for Water in the Cake Mix?

    No, we don’t recommend doing this. You may be tempted to use pineapple juice to improve the flavor of your cake. Instead, this results in a cake that is overly sweet with a soggy texture. Just use water for this recipe.

    How Can I Keep Pineapple Upside Down Cake from Getting Soggy?

    The number one way to avoid a soggy cake is to dry your pineapple slices. If using canned pineapples, drain the juice and use a paper towel to pat dry any excess liquid. Remember not to use any pineapple juice when mixing the cake batter.

    Variations

    Pineapple Upside Down Cupcakes

    These adorable cupcakes are miniature versions of a classic. This is made in the same way as the full-size cake, but you will instead use a muffin tin. Use one pineapple slice and one cherry as the topping for each cupcake.

    Pineapple Upside Down Bundt Cake

    If you prefer, this cake can be made in a Bundt pan. The procedure is the same, but the shape of the cake is an interesting variation on this fruity dessert.

    Pineapple Upside Down Cake with Vanilla Pudding

    Looking for a richer, moister version of this cake? Adding vanilla pudding to the mix creates a creamier, thicker batter and a cake with a pudding-like texture.

    If You Like This Recipe Try These Out

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    No-Bake Cheesecake
    The most incredible Oreo Cheesecake Bites – creamy and smooth mini cheesecakes with Oreo crust at the bottom. I’ve included the detailed tips for you to make the best bite-size Oreo cheesecake cupcakes and they will be a perfect dessert at any party! #OreoCheesecakeBites #OreoCheesecakeCupcakes
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    Opera Cake is a classic French dessert combining layers of almond sponge cake soaked in coffee syrup, espresso-flavored buttercream, and decadent chocolate ganache. It’s finished with a smooth chocolate glaze. This recipe has been tested many times and is easily the best homemade opera cake recipe that I’ve ever tried. #OperaCake #OperaCakeRecipe
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    Strawberry Icebox Cake is a no-bake refrigerator cake made with fresh strawberries and layers of graham cracker wafers softened by whipped cream!
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    If you tried this recipe, let me know how your Pineapple Upside Down Cake turns out in the comments below!

    This Duncan Hines Pineapple Upside Cake is soft, fluffy, and moist. Made with Duncan Hines cake mix with a beautiful topping of caramelized pineapples and maraschino cherries, this classic recipe is so easy to prepare with a secret shortcut. It might be old-fashioned, but it’s far from boring!

    Duncan Hines Pineapple Upside Down Cake Recipe

    This Duncan Hines Pineapple Upside Cake is soft, fluffy, and moist. Made with Duncan Hines cake mix with a beautiful topping of caramelized pineapples and maraschino cherries, this classic recipe is so easy to prepare with a secret shortcut. It might be old-fashioned, but it’s far from boring!
    4.34 from 3 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 45 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 55 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8 slices
    Author: Izzy
    Calories: 324kcal

    Ingredients 

    Topping

    • 1/2 cup melted butter
    • 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed, you can use light or dark)
    • 10 pineapple slices
    • 10-20 maraschino cherries

    Duncan Hines Cake

    • 1 package Duncan Hines Cake Mix
    • other ingredients called for on the box including water oil, and eggs

    Instructions 

    • Preheat oven to 350˚F (175˚C).

    Make the Topping:

    • Pour melted butter into a 9-inch cake pan (or pie pan). Make sure the plate or pan is at least 2 inches deep. Spread the butter evenly to cover the entire bottom.
    • Sprinkle brown sugar evenly on top of the butter.
    • Pad dry pineapple slices, and arrange them on top of the brown sugar.
    • Place maraschino cherries in the center of pineapple slices. Set aside.

    Make the Cake Batter

    • Prepare the cake batter according to the instructions on the package. (DO NOT substitute pineapple juice for water.)
    • Pour and spread the cake batter evenly over the topping.

    Bake the Cake

    • Bake for 45-50 minutes. Loosely cover with foil after 30 minutes to prevent the top from over-browning.
    • The cake is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean.

    Flip and Serve

    • Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool for about 15 minutes.
    • Carefully invert the cake onto a serving plate. Serve warm and enjoy!

    Equipment

    Cake Pan
    Mixing Bowl

    Notes

    • Pat dry your pineapple slices/rings before placing them into the pie plate. Wet pineapple will cause the cake to overflow and the topping could ooze over the sides when inverted.
    • Make sure your pie plate or cake pan is at least 2 inches deep.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 324kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 38mg | Sodium: 410mg | Potassium: 221mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 680IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 146mg | Iron: 1mg
    Author: Izzy
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: Duncan Hines Pineapple Upside Down Cake
    Tried this recipe?Follow or tag us on Pinterest @izzycooking

    Filed Under: Dessert, Popular Recipes, Recipes Tagged With: brown sugar, butter, Duncan Hines cake mix, maraschino cherries, pineapple slices

    About Izzy

    I'm Izzy, a food lover and photographer. Here you’ll find a collection of simple recipes that are perfect for busy people. My blog aims to help you make and enjoy delicious and healthy food at home.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Bernard Byers says

      April 24, 2021 at 10:56 am

      5 stars
      I used my pineapple juice instead of water

      Reply
      • Dave says

        November 11, 2021 at 1:46 pm

        #MeToo

        Reply
    2. Geri H says

      December 09, 2021 at 11:51 am

      4 stars
      I think you meant to remove from oven and COOL for 15 minutes, not cook for 15 minutes.

      Reply
      • Izzy says

        December 10, 2021 at 10:11 am

        Hi Geri, thanks for letting me know.

        Reply
    3. Vicki says

      March 31, 2022 at 6:10 pm

      4 stars
      Hmmm, unless I missed it (which is entirely possible), all I see is Duncan Hines Cake Mix, but I don’t see what kind/flavor. I’m assuming yellow, but it would be nice to know for sure. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Izzy says

        April 04, 2022 at 7:16 pm

        You can use any kind. Yes the yellow one will work great

        Reply

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