Easy Mini Pineapple Upside Down Cake

There's something charming about mini pineapple upside down cake made in a muffin tin. I've been baking these little beauties for years, and they never fail to bring smiles to the table! Unlike their full-sized cousin, these individual treats give you the perfect caramelized edge-to-cake ratio in every single bite.They're surprisingly simple to make, taking just 15 minutes to prep before your kitchen fills with the mouthwatering aroma of buttery, caramelized goodness. Whether you're looking for a crowd-pleasing dessert for your next gathering or a sweet weekend project with the kids, these mini pineapple upside down cakes deliver all the nostalgic flavor of the classic recipe but in perfectly portioned, gorgeously golden packages.

Why You'll Love This Mini Pineapple Upside Down Cake

After trying countless recipes (including that famous mini pineapple upside-down cake Allrecipes version), I've perfected these little treasures. What makes this the best mini pineapple upside down cake recipe you'll find? It strikes the perfect balance between simplicity and "wow factor." The muffin tin creates perfectly portioned servings with those irresistible caramelized edges that everyone fights over with a traditional cake.

Unlike some recipes that turn out too dry or too sweet, this version creates a moist, tender cake that perfectly complements the buttery brown sugar and pineapple topping. And if you're feeling a bit fancy, adding a splash of rum transforms these into sophisticated mini pineapple upside down cake with rum that would impress even the Great British Bake Off judges!

The versatility is another bonus – make them with cake mix when you're short on time, or use crushed pineapple instead of rings for a more uniform caramel topping. These individual pineapple upside down cakes work beautifully for everything from family desserts to elegant dinner parties.

Jump to:

• Why You'll Love This Mini Pineapple Upside Down Cake
• Ingredients
• Instructions
• Substitutions
• Variations
• Equipment For Mini Pineapple Upside Down Cake
• Storage
• What to Serve With Mini Pineapple Upside Down Cakes
• Top Tip
• Grandmama's Magic Touch
• FAQ
• Ready to Bake These Little Treasures?
• Related
• Pairing
• Mini Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Ingredients

For the Caramel Pineapple Topping:

• Butter, melted (or coconut oil for dairy-free)
• Brown sugar, packed (light or dark both work)
• (20 oz) pineapple rings OR crushed pineapple, well-drained
• Maraschino cherries (optional)

For the Cake Batter:

• All-purpose flour (or 1:1 gluten-free flour blend)
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Unsalted butter, softened (or vegan butter)
• Granulated sugar
• Eggs, at room temperature
• Vanilla extract
• Pineapple juice (reserved from the can)
• Dark rum (optional)

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Prepare Your Equipment

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Grease a standard 12-cup muffin tin generously with cooking spray or butter. These tend to stick, so don't skimp on this step!
3. Drain the pineapple thoroughly, reserving ½ cup of juice for the batter.

Create the Caramel Pineapple Base

1. Mix the melted butter and brown sugar in a small bowl until well combined.
2. Divide this mixture evenly among the muffin cups (about 1 tablespoon per cup).
3. Arrange your pineapple in each cup:
   • For rings: Trim the pineapple rings to fit the muffin cups if needed
   • For crushed pineapple: Add about 1 tablespoon of well-drained crushed pineapple
4. Place a maraschino cherry in the center of each cup (if using).

Make the Cake Batter

1. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
2. Beat the softened butter and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
3. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
4. Stir in the vanilla extract and rum (if using).
5. Alternate adding the dry ingredients and pineapple juice to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients (3 additions of dry, 2 of liquid). Mix just until combined after each addition.

Bake Your Mini Cakes

1. Spoon the batter evenly over the pineapple mixture in each muffin cup, filling each about ¾ full.
2. Smooth the tops gently with the back of a spoon.
3. Bake for 20-22 minutes, or until the cakes are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
4. Cool in the pan for exactly 5 minutes – any less and they'll fall apart, any more and the caramel will harden, making them difficult to remove.

Unmold and Serve

1. Run a knife around the edges of each cake to loosen.
2. Place a large cutting board or serving platter over the muffin tin.
3. Invert the pan and platter together in one quick motion.
4. Lift the muffin tin off carefully – the cakes should release onto the platter.
5. Replace any pineapple or caramel that may have stuck to the pan.
6. Serve warm for the best flavor and texture. A small scoop of vanilla ice cream makes these mini pineapple upside down cakes absolutely irresistible!

Using Cake Mix Shortcut

If you're making mini pineapple upside down cake with cake mix:

1. Prepare the caramel and pineapple base as directed above.
2. Mix the cake batter according to package directions, but substitute some of the water with pineapple juice for added flavor.
3. Proceed with filling the muffin cups and baking as instructed, but check for doneness a few minutes earlier as cake mix batters sometimes bake faster.

Substitutions

• Quick Version: For upside down pineapple mini cakes in a hurry, substitute the homemade batter with your favorite vanilla or yellow cake mix.
• Pineapple Options: Both rings and crushed pineapple work beautifully. For mini pineapple upside down cake with crushed pineapple, drain extra thoroughly.
• Make it Boozy: Dark rum adds amazing depth, but bourbon or spiced rum work well too. For non-alcoholic, use 2 tablespoons additional pineapple juice with ¼ teaspoon almond extract.
• Sugar Alternatives: Coconut sugar works as a more natural option for the brown sugar in the topping.
• Small Batch: To make just 6 mini upside down pineapple cakes, simply halve all ingredients.
• Fresh Pineapple: Yes, you can use fresh! Cut into small rings or chunks and simmer with 2 tablespoons water and 1 tablespoon sugar for 5 minutes before using.

Variations

While the classic mini pineapple upside down cake is perfect on its own, these creative variations will keep your dessert game fresh and exciting:

Tropical Mini Pineapple Upside Down Cakes

Transform these little treats into a tropical paradise:

• Add ½ cup shredded coconut to the cake batter
• Replace ¼ cup of the pineapple juice with coconut cream
• Garnish with toasted coconut flakes after unmolding
• Serve with a small scoop of coconut ice cream

Spiced Pineapple Upside-Down Cupcakes

For a warm, cozy twist on the classic:

• Add ½ teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, and a pinch of cloves to the batter
• Use dark brown sugar in the caramel topping for deeper molasses flavor
• Drizzle with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and rum after unmolding
• Pair with a dollop of cinnamon whipped cream

Mini Pineapple Upside Down Cake with Cake Mix Upgrade

When using a boxed cake mix, elevate it with these simple additions:

• Replace the water called for on the box with equal parts pineapple juice
• Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and ½ teaspoon of almond extract
• Mix in ¼ cup of sour cream for extra moisture
• Fold in 2 tablespoons of brown sugar to enhance the caramel flavor

Equipment For Mini Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Before diving into this mini pineapple upside down cake recipe, gather these essential tools:

• 12-cup standard muffin tin: The star of the show! A non-stick version works best, but any type will do with proper greasing.
• Mixing bowls: Two medium bowls – one for dry ingredients and one for wet.
• Electric mixer: Hand or stand mixer for creaming the butter and sugar to perfect fluffiness.
• Measuring cups and spoons: For precise ingredient measurements.
• Rubber spatula: To fold ingredients gently and scrape down the sides of the bowl.
• Small knife: For loosening the cakes from the muffin tin.
• Serving platter: Large enough to flip the entire muffin tin onto at once.
• Optional cookie scoop: For evenly distributing the batter into muffin cups.

Storage

One of the things I love most about these mini pineapple upside down cakes is how well they keep and reheat, making them perfect for make-ahead desserts or enjoying leftovers the next day (if they last that long!).

Room Temperature Storage

• Freshly Made: These small pineapple cake treats can be kept at room temperature, covered loosely with foil, for up to 1 day.
• Pro Tip: Don't cover them tightly with plastic wrap as this can make the caramel topping sticky and the cake soggy.

Refrigerator Storage

• For Longer Storage: Place the mini cakes in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
• Layer Carefully: If you need to stack them, place a small piece of parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
• Note: The pineapple topping will stay more vibrant and fresh in the refrigerator than at room temperature.

Freezer Storage

• Freeze Individual Cakes: Wrap each cooled mini cake in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil.
• Label and Date: Store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
• Batch Freezing: These are perfect for making a big batch and freezing some for later – individual pineapple upside down cakes make great last-minute desserts!

What to Serve With Mini Pineapple Upside Down Cakes

These individual pineapple upside down cakes are delicious on their own, but pairing them with complementary flavors can turn them into an unforgettable dessert experience:

Perfect Pairings

• Vanilla Ice Cream: The classic choice! The contrast between warm buttery cake and cold, creamy vanilla ice cream is simply magical.
• Whipped Cream: A dollop of homemade whipped cream with a sprinkle of cinnamon enhances the caramel notes in these small batch pineapple cakes.
• Coconut Whipped Cream: For tropical vibes, top with coconut whipped cream and a sprinkle of toasted coconut flakes.
• Crème Fraîche: For a sophisticated twist, serve with a small dollop of crème fraîche to balance the sweetness.

Beverages That Complement

• Coffee: A rich, medium-roast coffee cuts through the sweetness beautifully.
• Rum-Spiked Hot Chocolate: If you made the boozy version, continue the theme with this warming beverage.
• Tropical Iced Tea: Pineapple-infused iced tea makes a refreshing counterpoint.
• Coconut Milk: A small glass of cold coconut milk brings out the buttery flavors of these pineapple upside-down cupcakes.

Make It a Complete Dessert Spread

For special occasions, create a tropical dessert table featuring:

• Mini pineapple upside down cakes as the star
• Coconut macaroons
• Mango sorbet
• Fresh fruit skewers with a honey-lime dip
• Easy mini fruit tarts with kiwi and pineapple

Grandmama's Magic Touch

My grandmother's mini pineapple upside down cakes were legendary in our family. What made them truly special? The way she'd heat her muffin tin in the oven for 3 minutes before adding the butter and brown sugar mixture. "This pre-heating trick," she'd whisper, "creates the most perfectly caramelized edges that the Great British Bake Off judges would swoon over!"

She also insisted on adding a teaspoon of molasses to her brown sugar mixture, creating a deeper, more complex flavor in these individual pineapple upside down cakes. When I make these pineapple upside-down cupcakes with her technique, the aroma instantly transports me back to her yellow kitchen, where she'd let me place the cherries "just so" on each small batch pineapple cake.

I've tried countless mini pineapple upside down cake recipes, but none compare to Grandmama's method. Try her preheating trick and molasses addition—I'd love to hear if it makes your upside down pineapple mini cakes extra special too!

FAQ

Ready to Bake These Little Treasures?

These mini pineapple upside down cakes are proof that good things come in small packages! Whether you make them with rum for an adult dinner party, use crushed pineapple for extra caramel goodness, or follow Grandmama's special tricks, these individual treats are sure to impress.

I'd love to see how yours turn out! Have you tried making these pineapple upside-down cupcakes before? Drop a comment below with your experience or any questions. And if you enjoyed these, don't miss my other tropical-inspired treats like Spinach Artichoke Quiche , jalapeno cheddar sourdough, or the crowd-favorite Pistachio Tiramisu.

Related

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with Mini Pineapple Upside Down Cake