Pineapple Upside Down Cake Recipe Using Cake Mix

Pineapple upside down cake recipe using cake mix features sliced pineapple rings and maraschino cherries, brown sugar, and butter atop of fresh and moist cake mix.

The impressive dessert is easy to make and will become a classic favorite.

A Classic Cake

The classic cake recipe has been around for generations and can be made in a variety of ways.

You can start off with fresh pineapple or use canned. The recipe creates a cake that everyone will love.

The cake doesn’t rise very much, and it’s a bit of a messy cake, but it turns out so delicious. And it leaves your house smelling incredibly amazing.

My kids ran out of their rooms wondering what smelled so good.

Ingredients For Pineapple Upside Down Cake

• Sliced pineapple
• Maraschino cherries
• Cake mix
• Pineapple juice (or water)
• Eggs
• Vegetable oil
• Light brown sugar
• Melted butter

Full printable recipe with measurements and instructions listed at the bottom of the post in the recipe card.

How To Make Easy Pineapple Upside Down Cake With Cake Mix

1. Melt butter and pour it into a greased 9-inch by 13-inch baking dish.
2. Next, sprinkle the brown sugar over the butter and spread it out.
3. Place the pineapple rings around the bottom of the pan.
4. Add the cherries to the pan in the center of the pineapple rings and wherever you’d like to add some color.
5. In a large mixing bowl, add the cake mix, eggs, pineapple juice (or water), and vegetable oil and mix well. (Make the cake according to the package directions).
6. Gently pour over the pineapple and cherries.
7. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean.
8. Allow the cake to cool for about five minutes. Take a knife and run it along the sides to loosen the cake from the edges.
9. Place a wooden cutting board or cookie sheet over the cake and flip it over. (Be careful, it will be very hot, and you will need oven mitts).
10. Serve!

Cutting The Pineapple

As mentioned above, you can either use fresh pineapple or buy canned pineapple rings for this recipe. Either one will work great.

My husband loves to grow pineapples, so we have quite a few in our backyard.

For this recipe, we used the bigger pineapple because you will need about seven or eight pineapple rings.

If you are interested in learning more about growing pineapples, he has a video over on YouTube about it.

We bought a pineapple slicer that cuts the rings while it cuts through the pineapple. I will add the link to the pineapple cutter in the recipe card below.

The cutter leaves the center, but you can see the rings.

Whether you use a real pineapple or buy canned pineapple, be sure to reserve the juice. You will need one cup of juice for the recipe.

My husband had to squeeze the outer layer to get more juice out. There’s a lot of excess liquid in the skin.

Once you have the juice, set it to the side for a later step.

Step-By-Step Instructions For Pineapple Upside Down Cake Recipe Using Cake Mix

Grab a 9-inch by 13-inch baking pan and coat it with some non-stick cooking spray. Melt the butter and pour it into the bottom of the pan.

Next, sprinkle the light brown sugar into the bottom of the pan and spread it out.

Arrange pineapple slices in the pan.

Place the maraschino cherries in the center of each pineapple slice and in a few places around the pan to add some color.

Add the cake mix to a large mixing bowl.

For this recipe, I used Betty Crocker Delights Super Moist French Vanilla Cake Mix in the 15.25 ounce box.

Pour the reserved pineapple juice into the bowl.

If you don’t have enough pineapple juice, you can substitute it with water.

Next, pour the vegetable oil into the bowl and combine the ingredients.

Gently pour batter over the pineapple slices. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean.

Let the cake cool for about five minutes. Run a knife along the edges of the pan to loosen the cake.

Then, place a large wooden cutting board or a cookie sheet over the cake and turn cake upside down.

It will be HOT, so be sure to use oven mitts.

The cake will end up on the cutting board.

Let the cake pan sit on top of the cake for a few minutes to make sure most of the brown sugar drips off onto the cake.

Then, lift the cake pan off and serve.

How To Store The Pineapple Upside Down Cake With Cake Mix

Store the cake in an airtight container or cover with plastic wrap and keep in the refrigerator.

What Cake Do You Use For Pineapple Upside Down Cake?

For this recipe, I used a 15.25 ounce box of Betty Crocker Super Moist French Vanilla Cake mix. Most cake mixes will work, however.

More Favorite Desserts

• Hello Dolly Bars
• Easy banana brownies
• Red velvet swirl cheesecake brownies
• Gluten free Christmas cookies
• Pineapple Sunshine Cake from Belle of the Kitchen

Delicious Traditional Pineapple Upside Down Cake With Cake Mix

There’s nothing better than a moist cake with pineapple chunks, sweet maraschino cherries, and plenty of sweet buttery brown sugar.

Be sure to get the recipe below for pineapple upside down cake. It’s the perfect dessert any time of year.

The cake mix recipe is easy to make and turns out delicious every time.