With its cheery pineapple rings and bright maraschino cherry topping, pineapple upside down cake has a quirky retro charm. Maybe it was something your Midwestern grandma would serve to evoke a touch of the tropics on a winter day. This healthier-for-you version uplifts the classic, can (and should!) be served at any occasion, and is easier to make than it looks. Just strategically place pineapple and cherries in a baking pan, pour batter over the top and bake. It’s a fancy-looking cake with only a few extra, very simple steps. It’s gluten-free, dairy free and vegan friendly, and its flavors of coconut milk and pineapple provide a luscious, momentary getaway.

Simple Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 10
Calories 191 kcal
Ingredients
- 1-½ cup Gluten-free all-purpose baking flour
- 2 tsp. baking powder
- ½ tsp. pink salt
- 1 Tbsp. egg replacer plus 2 Tbsp. water
- ½ cup turbinado sugar
- ½ cup sweetened condensed coconut milk
- ¼ cup coconut oil
- ¼ cup pineapple juice from canned pineapple
- 7 rounds canned pineapple slices
- 7 maraschino cherries
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
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Grease round baking pan with coconut oil. Place 3 pineapple slices across middle, then 2 slices above and 2 slices below so bottom of pan is covered.
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Place cherry into each pineapple ring center.
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In medium bowl, combine dry ingredients: flour, baking powder and salt. Add egg replacer and water, sugar, condensed coconut milk, oil and pineapple juice and stir to combine. Batter will be thick.
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Spoon dollops of batter over pineapple and cherries. Spread batter carefully to keep pineapple rings in place.
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Bake for 40 minutes. (Note: Batter will spread to cover pineapple and puff up.)
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Remove cake from oven when golden-brown. Allow cake to cool then place a plate on top and flip over to release.
Nutrition Facts
Simple Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Amount Per Serving
Calories 191
Calories from Fat 81
% Daily Value*
Fat 9g14%
Saturated Fat 7g35%
Cholesterol 8mg3%
Sodium 111mg5%
Potassium 154mg4%
Carbohydrates 27g9%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 13g14%
Protein 3g6%
Vitamin A 20IU0%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 65mg7%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.