Tuesday, September 14, 2010

TWD - Pineapple Upside Downer



Do you remember when upside down cakes were the height of sophistication as dinner party fare? They always fascinated me as a child, because the glossy fruit on top looked so good, and I wondered how they "glued" it on.

Fast forward to the present, and upside down cakes are still good value, although dismissed by some as passe. Sabrina of Superfluous is our host for this week's Tuesday with Dorie, and she chose Dorie's Cranberry Upside-Downer.

Now cranberries are not an easy thing to procure in Australia, whether fresh or frozen - the only way to really get them is dried. A cake with dried cranberries on top didn't do it for me, so I harked back to the grandmother of upside down cakes, the pineapple upside down cake, to make a Pineapple Upside-Downer. I also inserted a frozen raspberry into the centre of each pineapple ring to make it pretty and resemble the glace cherry versions of my youth.

This cake is light and spongy and delicious. I ate mine warm, but didn't get to try it cold because I forgot to save myself a piece. Oh well, that's the way it goes.

You can check out the recipe at Sabrina's site or in Dorie's book, and to see more variations on the Cranberry Upside-Downer, visit the TWD blogroll.

23 comments:

The Blonde Duck said...

I always save myself a piece first. I'm a bit greedy that way.

Tammy said...

pineapple was a great subsitution

Flourchild said...

I love your cake! I used cherries and it was so yummy!!!

Jennifer said...

Your upside down cake looks amazing!!!!!

Juliana said...

I haven't had pineapple upside down cake for a while...yours look SO good :-)

Cindy said...

Yes, pineapple is where it began! My hubby makes a pineapple version in his dutch oven. Great at a campfire.
I had cranberries in my freezer, it was excellent. Your cake is beautiful.

Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella said...

Hehe you know I do remember when it was the height of sophisticated. I was quite young and I remember thinking that it was quite magical too! :D

Peggy said...

That looks so good. Just like my mom used to make when I was a child. It was one of my favorite desserts then. I cannot imagine not being able to get frozen cranberries though. I love them. Thanks for stopping by this morning for a blog visit.

chocolatechic said...

I also went with pineapple.

I'm so glad that someone else did it too.

Mary said...

Pineapple is the best for upside-down cake. It is retro, but the best kind of retro. I can't believe you didn't save yourself an extra piece! I tried this every way, and can assure you it was great hot, warm or room temperature.
:)

Johanna GGG said...

ooh what an interesting way to use cranberries - I have a bag of frozen ones that I bought in clifton hill supermarket if you ever want to hunt some down - I am still deciding how to use the rest of them so will keep this in mind - though my mum never was sophisticated enough for the cherry in the middle of the pineapple :-)

Hindy said...

I've always loved pineapple upside down cake. Yours looks perfect.

Unknown said...

One day I'm going to make a pineapple upside down cake... one day LOL.
*kisses* HH

Nutmeg Nanny said...

Such a beautiful looking cake :) Even if you can't find cranberries I thought your raspberries were a great idea!

Conor @ Hold the Beef said...

Passe, shmasse, I want some. I'm not exactly at the pinnacle of what's fashionable anyway!

Jeannette said...

Yum! i have never tried a pineapple upside down cake. when i was younger, pineapple didn't belong in cake. it was to be eaten plain! but i'm happy to announce that my taste buds have matured ;)

Chats the Comfy Cook said...

Yes, pineapple does bring back memories and it is such a good choice.

margot said...

The classic pineapple cake looks divine! I thought it was a fun cake and look forward to trying one with pineapple.

natalia said...

Dear cakelaw I love your pineapple version :it must have been wonderful !!!

Anonymous said...

It looks great! I like the look of the raspberry in the center of the pineapple slice.

Delishhh said...

I was looking for pineapple recipes and came across your blog. Very nice!

The Caked Crusader said...

I adore pineapple upside down cake - and this one looks great!

Kayte said...

No cake even comes close to beating a pineapple upside down cake around here...we are experts!! Yours looks fabulous!