April 20th is one of our favorite days of the year. Not because of the common associations, but because it’s National Pineapple Upside Down Cake Day.
Pineapples are known for symbolizing hospitality, friendship, and generosity, so there’s truly no better way to welcome guests into your home (or any excuse, really) than with this delicious treat. We’re sharing a bit on where this cake came from, and the best ever pineapple upside down cake recipe.
Traditional upside-down preparations include the American pineapple upside-down cake, the French Tarte Tatin, and the Brazilian or Portuguese bolo de ananás (also known as bolo de abacaxi).
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A Short History of Pineapple Upside Down Cake
The origins of the pineapple upside down cake date back hundreds of years, when people would cook on cast-iron skillets over open fires. When they wanted a sweet treat, they would line the bottom of the pans with fruit, and pour batter on top. When the cake was ready, the pan was flipped over, revealing the gorgeous pattern of caramelized fruit on the top.
Early Americans used cast-iron skillets with legs on the bottom to make these cakes. The skillets were called, “spiders,” and thus the cakes were called, “spider cakes.” When technology advanced and the home oven became a reality and a mainstay of kitchens, a transition to flat-bottomed cast-iron skillets (the same as what we use today) emerged as the new way to bake cakes. These skillets were used to make the same “spider cakes,” but in an oven.
And in the very early 1900s, James Dole (founder of the Hawaiian Pineapple Company, now known as Dole) created the perfect way to can pineapples, which had not been a reality before this point. Pineapple made its way into more and more American homes this way, and at some point, the pineapple upside down cake was born.
The BEST Pineapple Upside Down Cake
FAQ
Why is pineapple cake upside down?
What does upside down mean in cooking?
Where does pineapple cake come from?
What is an upside down cake?
An upside-down cake is a cake that is baked “upside-down” in a single pan, usually a skillet, with its toppings at the bottom of the pan. When removed from the oven, the finished upside-down preparation is flipped over and de-panned onto a serving plate, thus “righting” it, and serving it right-side up.
What is pineapple upside-down cake?
Pineapple upside-down cake is a classic dessert recipe in which you bake it, well, upside-down! When you flip your cake out of your baking dish, then it’s right-side up. Or is it then upside-down?
Where did Pineapple Upside Down Cake come from?
The upside-down pineapple cake originated in the 1920s once canned pineapple rings became available across the United States. Research tells us that a recipe contest held by the company to promote the use of canned pineapple chose a recipe for pineapple upside-down cake as the winning recipe submitted by a woman from Virginia.
What AD gave away an upside down cake pan?
Also in the 1930s, Omega flour ran an ad that gave away an upside down cake pan to anyone who purchased a 10 pound sack of flour. Spry Ad from 1936 featuring Pineapple Upside Down Cake. Of course as explained above this cake is probably most known for its mid century ties for most people.