Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350F (175C)

Step 2

Pour melted butter into 9.5-10" pie plate or deep cake pan, make sure it entirely covers the bottom of the pan and use a spoon or spatula to grease the sides of the pan.

Step 3

Sprinkle brown sugar evenly over butter mixture.  Arrange pineapple slices over the bottom of the pan, slice leftover slices in half and arrange up the sides of the pan, as seen in photo.

Step 4

Place cherries in center of pineapple rings and as desired in empty spaces.  Set aside.

Step 5

To prepare vanilla cake, beat butter and sugar in medium-sized bowl until creamy and well-combined.

Step 6

Add eggs, beating one at a time until combined.

Step 7

Stir in vanilla extract.

Step 8

In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.

Step 9

Alternate adding flour and milk to the wet ingredients, starting and ending with flour and mixing until just combined after each addition (I prefer to do this part by hand with a spatula to be sure not to overmix).

Step 10

Pour batter evenly over prepared cake pan and pineapple/cherry layer.

Step 11

Bake on 350F (175C) for 30 minutes.  At the 30 minute mark, loosely cover with foil and continue to bake (still on 350F/175C) for another 15 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean with few crumbs (total cook time for cake will be 45 minutes).

Step 12

Allow to cool for 10-15 minutes and then carefully invert cake onto serving platter (careful, it will still be very hot!).

Step 13

Allow to cool before cutting and enjoying, but don't wait too long as this cake tastes wonderful (best!) warm from the oven!