We are getting retro at #SundaySupper. Immediately a Pineapple Upside Down Cake for Bringing Back Retro Recipes #SundaySupper popped into my head. I went straight to my Better Homes and Gardens Dessert Cook Book that was published in 1960, I knew it had to be in there and I was right.
I had never made one before but I now know why this cake was so hugely popular back in the 50’s and 60’s. It was around for much longer than that but those decades seem to be when everyone was making it.
Dole started canning pineapple rings just after the turn of the century and pineapple replaced apples and cherries that had been popular until then. It has a huge flavor and is so delicious. My little cake was gobbled right down.
With its ooey gooey caramel topping and the wonderful taste of pineapple, cherries, and a little pecan, you can’t get anything better and it was so easy to make. I will be making this one again for sure!!
Pineapple Upside Down Cake for Retro Recipes Then and Now #SundaySupper
Ingredients
Topping
- 3 Tbsp. butter
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
- 6 canned pineapple rings
- 6 maraschino cherries
- 5 pecan halves
Cake
- 1/3 cup shortening
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1 1/4 cups cake flour
- 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Drain the pineapple reserving 1/2 cup of the juice.
- To make the topping melt the butter and pour it into a 9 1/2" cake pan (you may want to spray this first with cooking spray, I didn't and my cake came out fine). Sprinkle in brown sugar and stir to combine. Arrange the pineapple slices, putting a cherry into the middle of each ring and a pecan half at the edge between each slice. Set aside.
- For the cake cream the shortening and sugar. Add the egg and vanilla and beat well until smooth and creamy. Whisk the dry ingredients together. Add the flour mixture alternatively with the pineapple juice and beat well after each addition scraping down the sides. Spread over the pineapple.
- Bake for 40-45 min. until golden and a cake tester comes out clean. Let cool 5 min. Run a knife around the edge of the cake and invert onto a cake platter. Serve warm with whipped cream or ice cream if desired or let cool completely.
Nutrition
Are you ready for more retro recipes? Take a look at what the talented Sunday Supper bloggers are sharing:
Sunday Supper Retro Appetizers:
- Irish Cheddar-Whiskey Fondue by girlichef
Sunday Supper Retro Salads:
- Coca-Cola Salad by Magnolia Days
- Ambrosia Salad by Simply Gourmet
- Romaine “Wedge” Salad with Hot Maple Bacon Dressing by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Sweet & Smoky Broccoli Salad by In The Kitchen with KP
Sunday Supper Retro Breads and Sandwiches:
- Grown-Up Tuna Melts by Home Cooking Memories
- English Muffin Pizzas by Comfy Cuisine
- Patty Melt, Hand Cut Fries, & a Shake by Mooshu Jenne
- Grown-Up Grilled Cheese With Tomato Soup by Catholic Foodie
- Toast Topper #16: Grandma’s Mock Apricot Jam by What Smells So Good?
SundaySupper Main Dishes:
- Chicken Pot Pie Topped With Bacon Cheddar Biscuits by Chocolate Moosey
- Tuna Noodle Casserole by Country Girl in the Village
- Nana’s Marinated Beef Roast by Supper for a Steal
- Chorizo Scotch Eggs by The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
- Chicken Maryland by Vintage Kitchen Notes
- Dairyfree Toast Hawaii by Galactosemia in PDX
- Porcupine Meatballs by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Salmon Quiche with Preserved Lemon by Shockingly Delicious
- Hambak Steak a.k.a. Salisbury Steak by Kimchi Mom
- Retro-Redo: Homemade TV Dinner by The Little Ferraro Kitchen
- Kicked Up Meatloaf by Curious Cuisiniere
- Shrimp Scampi (a lighter version) by Kudos Kitchen
- Old-Fashioned Pork Chops by My Trials in the Kitchen
- Jägerschnitzel by Sustainable Dad
- Healthier Hamburger-Corn Noodle Casserole by The Weekend Gourmet
- Inspired by Tuna Noodle Casserole by Cookistry
- Meatloaf that will make you swoon and Datz the truth by Midlife Roadtrip
- Tator Tot Casserole by NeighborFood
Sunday Supper Retro Sides and Veggies:
- Smokey Braised Red Cabbage by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon & Balsamic by Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts
- Classic Green Bean Casserole Redux by The Wimpy Vegetarian
Sunday Supper Retro Desserts and Cocktails:
- Peachy Keen Tutti-Frutti Jello by La Cocina de Leslie
- Old School Boozy Rum Cake by Webicurean
- Individual Baked Alaskas by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Rainbow Jello by Cravings of a Lunatic
- Pineapple Upside Down Cake by Noshing with the Nolands
- Pineapple Bars by Peanut Butter and Peppers
- Creamy Dairy Free Fresh Orange Julius With Coconut Milk by Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
- Refrigerator Strawberry Cheesecake by There and Back Again
- Frozen Pineapple Upside-Down Cake by Juanita’s Cocina
- Coca-Cola Cupcakes by Daily Dish Recipes
- Jello Poke Cake by Flour On My Face
- Layered Mini Chocolate Banana Cakes by Big Bears Wife
- Raspberry Jam Cakes by Pippis in the Kitchen Again
- Cocktail: Moscow Mule by Crazy by Crazy Foodie Stunts
What fun to read the stories about the recipes! There’s lots of great food in the list. I admit I still make and enjoy many of them. Nice to see some updated versions too. Which one is your favorite?
Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter each Sunday. We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET and you do not want to miss out on the fun. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos.
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Comments & Reviews
Liz says
Oh, does this bring back memories! My mom would make this as a special treat for my dad. I’m heading to Iowa to see him for his 79th birthday next weekend, so I’ll check if he’d like this for his celebratory cake. I’ll use your recipe if the answer is yes 🙂 THANKS!!!
Noshing with the Nolands says
Happy Birthday to your dad, thanks for coming over Liz!!
Emily @ Life on Food says
This is on my bucket list for 2013. Yours looks wonderful. I cannot wait to make one on my own.
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks for coming over Emily, I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!!
Nicole @ The Daily Dish says
Oooh Tara, this is so pretty and looks just delicious!
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks so much Nicole!
Paula @ Vintage Kitchen says
That is a wonderful looking cake Tara! Upside down cakes will never go out of style for me, they´re so good with the caramelized top. And with canned pineapple it´s so easy. Have a great day!
Noshing with the Nolands says
I actually bought a fresh pineapple for it but then realized that the canned is just so perfect and used that instead. Thanks for coming over Paula.
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes and Desserts says
What a great recipe for the retro theme, looks amazing!
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks so much Erin!
Wendy (The Weekend Gourmet) says
I LOVE a good pineapple upside-down cake…and yours is GORGEOUS, Tara!!!
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks so much Wendy!
Sarah says
This is the only dessert I like cooked pineapple in!
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks for coming over Sarah!
Brenda says
My mom used to make this all the time, now my sister does. It is gooey and yummy. I had never made an upside down cake until recently, and glad I did. The kids loved it. And it’s so very easy. I’ve printed your recipe to try. Will let you know how it goes.
BusyWorkingMama says
The presentation is to die for. YUM!
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks so much!!
Jill says
I love love love PAUSDC! If I have a can of opened coconut milk in the fridge I will use it instead of the juice to make it a pina colada upside down cake. Flaked coconut is nice in the cake too. (BTW do you know that you put the 1/2 cup PA juice into the topping section?)
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks so much Jill for noting that I put the juice in the wrong spot. Good ideas for a pina colada version. Yummy!!!
Katie says
Such a classic recipe – my mom and I actually made one a few months ago and I remembered how much it brought me back….Yum!
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks Katie, and it was so easy too!
Jen @ Juanita's Cocina says
I have a traditional upside-down cake on my blog too…it’s my wife’s favorite cake I make!
Noshing with the Nolands says
I saw yours and nice twist to bring it up to date. Thanks for coming over Jen!!
Nicole @ The Daily Dish says
Oooh Tara, this is so pretty and looks just delicious!
Shannon @VillageGirlBlog says
Yum! This looks soooo good and screams of my childhood. Thank you for sharing it!
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks so much for coming over Shannon!!
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think pineapples were the retro fruit! lol!! I am soooooo loving this recipe, and you know what I have never had an pineapple upside down cake! How crazy is that?
Noshing with the Nolands says
Oh Jennifer, you have to make this cake. You would love it!!
Renee says
Oh my goodness! I can’t tell you how many of these cakes I saw (and ate) at potlucks when I was growing up. Such a great recipe to share today.
Noshing with the Nolands says
I have eaten this many times but never made one myself. I will be making it again!!
Simply Gourmet says
I have not had this cake in years! I love the addition of pecans.
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks so much!
The Ninja Baker says
Talk of the retro Better Homes & Gardens recipes brings on the warm fuzzies. And your upside down pineapple cake is brilliant. It makes me want to bake one up for my own Sunday table!
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks so much for coming by. I have lots of BH&G cookbook, I was given them when my neighbors moved away. I love them.
BusyWorkingMama says
The presentation is to die for. YUM!
Jill says
I love love love PAUSDC! If I have a can of opened coconut milk in the fridge I will use it instead of the juice to make it a pina colada upside down cake. Flaked coconut is nice in the cake too. (BTW do you know that you put the 1/2 cup PA juice into the topping section?)