Iron Skillet Pineapple Upside Down Cake!

Pineapple Upside Down Cake is an old southern favorite and it's really not a difficult cake to make.  I think the most intimidating part of it is turning it out when it's done.  This one is made in an iron skillet and I think the baking in the iron makes the top of it really extra good, because the iron conducts heat so well.   However, if you don't have an iron skillet, you can use any skillet with an oven proof handle or a large round baking pan.  

Here is what you will need:

Topping

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter

1  1/2 cups packed brown sugar

1 (20 oz.) can pineapple slices, drained

maraschino cherries

Cake

1 pkg. pineapple cake mix (I used Duncan Hines)

1 (3.4 oz.) pkg. vanilla instant pudding

4 large eggs

1 cup water

1/2 cup oil

1 tsp. vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Melt the butter in a 12 inch cast iron skillet until melted.  Sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over the butter.

Arrange the pineapple slices in the skillet.  Place a cherry in the middle of each pineapple slice and I added a circle around the center pineapple.

In a large mixing bowl mix combine the cake mix, dry pudding mix, eggs, oil, water and vanilla.  Beat with an electric mixer for 2 minutes.  Pour over the pineapple and cherries in the skillet and spread evenly.   Place in the oven and bake for 1 hour or until a pick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Carefully remove from the oven.  Use some heavy oven mitts, because that iron skillet will be screaming hot! 

Place a large cake plate over the skillet and then carefully flip the skillet over to release the cake!  It will release just like this! 

Slice and serve! 





Pineapple Upside Down Cheesecake!

  

If you like pineapple upside down cake, like my husband does and cheesecake, like I do, you will love this "Pineapple Upside Down Cheesecake"!   This is not only a really delicious dessert, it's also special enough for the holidays and looks beautiful!    It's also not hard to make, but will impress your guests!  Here is what you will need for this one:

1/4 cup butter, melted

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1 (20 oz.) can of pineapple slices, drained

8 maraschino cherries

1 butter flavored cake mix (can use yellow), plus the ingredients called for on the box for preparing

2 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened

1 (3 oz.) box instant vanilla pudding mix

3 eggs

1/2 tsp. vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Spray a 9 inch spring form pan well with nonstick spray.  Mix the melted butter and brown sugar together in the pan.  Place 8 pineapple slices in the sugar mixture. Place a maraschino cherry in the center of each slice.  Cut the two remaining pineapple slices in half and place decoratively around the center slice.

Prepare the cake mix batter according to the directions.  Pour half of the batter over the pineapple rings.

Beat the cream cheese, pudding mix, eggs and vanilla together with an electric mixer until smooth.  Carefully spread over the cake batter in the pan.   Pour remaining cake batter over the cream cheese layer.

Place in the oven at 350 degrees and bake for 65 to 75 or until a pick inserted in the center comes out clean.   Remove and allow to cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes.   

 Loosen the edges and turn out onto a cake plate.