Tuesday, April 19, 2011

In the Kitchen - Classic Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Pinapple Upside Down Cake
I've been meaning to write this post for some time now. Better late than never I guess. A while back, I made Joanne Chang's recipe for pineapple upside down cake for the first time and boy, it is every bit as delicious as I had remembered. When she first opened her store Flour in Boston over a decade ago, a slice of this cake was one of the first things I had tried. It has been years since I have seen it on the menu so when her first cookbook was released last year, I was happy to find that she had included the recipe for this cake.

Pinapple Upside Down Cake 2
Marc and I are not huge cake eaters but this pineapple upside cake is our kryptonite. We can finish off an entire round in one sitting if we are not careful. The cake itself is perfectly eggy and not too dense or sweet. It also has the most delicious (almost cookie-like) crust at the bottom and around the edge and enough caramel fruit topping to satisfy serious pineapple lovers such as myself. I won't post the recipe here (I never like to do so without permission) but you can find it online if you do a simple search. Better yet, you can pick up a copy of her book, which has quickly become one of my favorite pastry books.

(And if any of you are wondering - No, I'm not being paid to write this! I just love me some pineapple upside down cake!)

12 comments:

  1. Thanks for posting. There is a special place in my heart for pineapple upside down cake. I used to ask my mom to make me one for many birthdays. A college beau even made me one for my 23rd (a ways ago). I might need to make myself one for my birthday tomorrow.

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  2. We had the most amazing pineapple upside down cake at Pineapple Grill in Maui a couple years ago and I've been on a quest for one as delicious ever since. Flour in Cambridge is within walking distance for us, but I've never noticed pineapple upside down cake there. I'll have to be on the lookout from now on. Your cake looks beautiful, by the way. Nice job. :) Now I'm off to dream about dessert!

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  3. And pineapples are in their prime right now. Yum

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  4. GoneferalinID - Happy birthday! I can't think of a better present to give oneself than this cake.

    Sarah - I'm so jealous that you guys live in Cambridge. I think we're seeing you guys this weekend so maybe I'll make one.

    Kelly - I guess that explains why I always see tons of pineapple around Easter time.

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  5. That looks so golden and heavenly. Sadly I am the only one that likes pineapple, lemon, or coconut in my household so recipes that feature any of the above are not ones I fix because I am the only one that will eat it. Instead, I seek out treats that feature those items when eating out.

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  6. The problem with pineapple upside down cake is that it is so gooey and melty, that you can eat a ton of it without getting full!

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  7. I like pineapples but I am wondering how will you be able make it not too sweet. I know for sure pineapples are sweet. Nice post, I am starting to feel hungry! :)

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  8. I haven't had pineapple upside down cake in an age. But any cake with caramel has my approval.

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  9. Hmmm... I think I know what my weekend plans include now. But should I make it or just walk over to Flour and buy a piece?

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  10. Potted Farm - I haven't seen it on their menu in years so you might be better off making it.

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  11. The cake looks delicious but the photo is so unlike you. Look at that great big shadow. Tsk, tsk.

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