How Not to Make a Delicious Pineapple Upside Down Cake In an Iron Skillet

by Pioneer Woman

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 tsp. salt
2 cups granulated sugar
1 stick of butter
1 1/2 cups milk
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
One 20 oz. can sliced pineapple, 2 tbsp. juice reserved
1 1/3 cups packed brown sugar
Maraschino cherries (optional) 


Preheat the oven 350-degree F.

To make the cake batter, in a large mixing bowl place the flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, 1/2 stick of the butter, the shortening, milk, eggs, vanilla, and reserved pineapple juice.  Mix until well combined.  Set aside.

Melt the remaining 1/2 stick butter in a 10" or 12" iron skillet over medium heat.  Swirl to thoroughly coat the skillet.

Sprinkle the brown sugar over the butter, making sure it's evenly distributed.

You want the entire surface of the butter to be covered in brown sugar.  Do not stir.

THIS NEXT STEP IS WHERE I MESSED UP BIIIIIIIIIIIG TIME

I poured the batter in first, before I placed the pineapple slices over the buttered brown sugar. Uggghh!  I guess I was a little stressed because I was having company and had a hard time concentrating.  Haha!!!  Pretty silly of me though.  Anyway, believe it or not this is what I did.....

.... I went ahead and took the pineapple slices and one by one, immersed and pushed them all the way down....piece of cake!!  So, to continue on with the rest of the recipe.... Bake the cake for 30 to 40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Voila!!!  Perfecto!!
The cake will be slightly uneven on top, but don't worry the top will soon be upside down, hence the name :)  Immediately run a knife around the edge of the cake.  Then place a cake plate upside down on top of the skillet.  Very carefully invert the skillet so that the cake is turned upside down onto the cake plate.  Because of the butter, it should come out pretty easily, if a little bit of the cake sticks to the pan, just use a small knife to patch it back together.  The cake is on the rustic/imperfect side anyway, so it'll look just fine.  Allow it to cool slightly before cutting into wedges with a serrated knife.  Best when served warm.

 I was really excited about making this recipe.  My family loves Pineapple Upside Down Cake plus we were having company and thought it would be a good idea to make it for them too.  I guess I got so excited I lost my concentration.  But all in all, it still came out pretty good.   It's really hilarious when you think about it.  Furthermore, Pineapple Upside Down Cake cooked in a skillet???  Whoever heard of that?!!  Pioneer Woman's reason was because it made her feel like a "rebel".  But it did end up being a hit and everyone loved it! ~isavor the weekend