Pineapple Upside Down Cake with Yellow Cake Mix

Cake mix pineapple upside down cake is the best! Such an easy dessert you can make when guests show up unexpectedly! Semi homemade but you may be able to even pull it off from scratch with the kiddos. 😉 Give it a whirl and let us know what you think! (affiliate links present)

Easy Cake Mix Pineapple Upside Down Cake

We have made something similar as an Instant Pot pineapple upside down cake recipe. You may not have that machine at home, or want to make the whole box instead of half so this is how it is done in the oven. We are going to use a round cake pan for this one. You could use a bundt pan if you wanted too but the timing for round is below.

For a third version my kids love making cake mix pineapple upside down cupcakes too. I mean anything made in a hand held grab it and go kinda’ size is just so fun right? You can make all 3 versions with these same ingredients. We are going to start with the basic ingredients you might imagine, you can see them below.

Ingredient Notes

You are going to want to start off with a box cake mix 15.25 oz, I typically use yellow. I like Betty Crocker or Duncan Hines Moist variety

• 1 c brown sugar
• 20 oz pineapple slices in juice and cherries jarred, stems removed
  • I use fruit slices, canned, drained but reserve pineapple juice
  • could use thin slices of fresh pineapple
• Vegetable oil and eggs
• 1/2 c butter

Equipment Needed

9″ springform pan with parchment paper liners or 9×9″ square pan sprayed well is needed. A bowl to mix ingredients is needed as well.

Of course you could use any flavored mix you wanted. I have in fact found pineapple cake mix from time to time but it isn’t always offered. If you can find that I’d grab a few. If not go ahead and either use yellow cake mix or white works just the same, but a different color scheme.

Duncan Hines Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Occasionally if I am visiting the Dollar Store I can find all of these ingredients too, seriously. In that case it is less than 5 bucks for everything which I love. I will say that in general name brand mixes are more moist, I would say that Duncan Hines is my favorite if it is on sale.

Don’t worry, you will use this pan again and again if you choose to buy this style. It is a great way to flip over all the contents and not have it all fall apart. (I used a round 9 inch pan for easier removal, but this recipe can be made in any 9×9 baking pan.

How to Make a Pineapple Upside Down Cake with Cake Mix

Start off with preheating the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray preferred pan with nonstick spray. If you use a springform pan, make SURE it is locked in place so it doesn’t leak and place it on a baking sheet, in case you have any drips + use the liners linked below).

• Melt butter, then pour in your pan.
• Open the can of pineapples and reserve the liquid into a measuring cup.
• Add enough water to that pineapple juice to create 1 full cup of liquid. Set aside for now.
  • In a mixing bowl, prepare the cake batter by combining boxed mix, with 2 eggs, oil and the 1 cup of pineapple/water.
• Once the butter has melted in your pan, remove it from the oven.  Sprinkle the brown sugar with butter evenly on to the bottom.
• Then arrange the pineapple slices and maraschino cherries over the brown sugar. (Use as many as you can fit.)
  • I usually place the cherry in the center of the pineapple slices.
• Carefully pour batter over everything.
• Bake for approximately 45-50 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out mostly clean with moist crumbs attached.
• Remove from the oven and allow to cool.

You’ll need to let it cool for at least 10 minutes. Release clasp on outside of springform pan. For square use a knife to release from all 4 sides by sliding it down. Place moist cake round with a plate on the top and carefully flip upside down quickly so the bottom of the cake with the fruit is now on the top of the cake. Serve with whipped cream and enjoy!

You can use a few other ingredients instead such as; Greek yogurt, applesauce or even canned pumpkin. Keep in mind that all of these are heavier so it may create a more dense cake but an easy way to make it healthier!

Ok so your mama probably didn’t use a ready made box of mix, but maybe she would have if given the choice. 😉 I mean sometimes we are in a hurry and need a bit of a cheater method to get it done right?? This will make one large sized round cake. If you know you will have leftovers only slice what you will eat then and there.

Should you refrigerate pineapple upside-down cake after baking?

Allow the whole thing to cool completely and you want to keep it moist after that. To do it best cover with plastic wrap so it is touching the top and sides, wrapped around the plate. Eliminate as much air as you can around the outside so it doesn’t dry out. Keep in the fridge since it does contain fruit.

The next day take a slice off, on to a plate, add a drizzle of frosting and warm in the microwave. The glaze will add moisture back into it and the heat will make it taste fresh again. 45 seconds usually does the trick to take the edge off. And that is it my friends. Kitchen hack for a quick pineapple cake at home. Everyone will love this one!

You can do something similar with other fruits after you try this one. If you have ripe nanners you should try our banana upside down cake too. Homemade or with boxed mix it comes out great and super sweet.