Ya’ll know that dessert on the grill has always been my thing. In fact, the first time I got a write up in the Sun Sentinel, they gave a shout out to the mango cobbler I made on the grill.
This recipe was originally developed for my cookbook. Even though my cookbook had a healthy spin with not junk ingredients, this smoked pineapple upside down cake packs all the flavor, with no junk ingredients or excess sugar.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
If you like regular pineapple upside down cake, you’ll LOVE the flavorful addition of smoked pineapple that gives this cake the added depth of smoke flavor. Pair with bourbon smoked sugar whipped cream for a mind-blowing flavor combo of sweet and smoky with a hint of bourbon. Because Everything goes better with Bourbon, am I right?
This recipe was originally featured in my Healthy Electric Smoker Cookbook (affiliate link) and I’ve put it on the blog so everyone can enjoy it. You can easily make this recipe in a Pellet smoker, an Electric Smoker, or on your grill!
Ingredients
- 10” cast iron skillet
- 10 slices of smoked pineapple (1 pineapple cored, sliced ½” thick and smoked)
- ¼ cup butter
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 jar maraschino cherries
Cake:
- ½ cup butter – softened to room temperature
- ¾ cup smoked or regular sugar
- 2 eggs – room temp
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups all purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup milk – room temp
How To Make
- Get your smoker to 250 degrees, put the pineapples on and let smoke for 30-45 minutes. Remove and store in the refrigerator until ready to make this recipe
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
- Pour the melted butter into the cast iron skillet, making sure it fully coats the bottom and sides of the skillet.
- Sprinkle brown sugar evenly over butter. Arrange the smoked pineapple on the bottom of the pan, and if there are extras they can be arranged on the side of the pan.
- Place the cherries inside the pineapple slices (and other desired empty spaces if you like!).
- Prepare the vanilla cake- use a hand mixer to beat the butter and sugar until creamy, then add eggs, beating one at a time. Lastly, add the vanilla and mix until combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Slowly add the flour mixture and milk until combined- be sure not to overmix or it will get tough.
- Pour the batter into the cast iron skillet and bake for 30 minutes.
- After 30 minutes, add foil to the top and continue to bake in foil for another 10-15 minutes, or until an toothpick inserted in the batter comes out clean.
- Allow to cool for 15 minutes and then invert onto a larger plate or cake platter for serving. Excellent served with Bourbon and smoked sugar whipped cream!
Substitutions
If you don’t have maraschino cherries, you can use fresh or canned cherries instead. Just be sure to drain them well before using them in the recipe.
Tools Needed
FAQ
Q: Can I use regular pineapple instead of smoked pineapple? A: Yes, you can use regular pineapple instead of smoked pineapple. To add a smoky flavor, you can grill or roast the pineapple slices before arranging them in the skillet or baking dish.
Q: Can I use a different type of fruit instead of pineapple? A: Yes, you can use a different type of fruit if you prefer. Mango, peaches, and apricots are all good alternatives to pineapple. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time and sugar content accordingly.
Q: Can I use a different type of pan instead of a cast iron skillet? A: Yes, you can use a similar-sized baking dish or cake pan if you don’t have a cast iron skillet. A 9″ square baking dish or 9″ round cake pan would both work well.
Q: Can I make this cake ahead of time? A: Yes, you can make the cake ahead of time and store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To reheat, place the cake in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 10-15 minutes, or until warm.
Q: Can I freeze this cake? A: Yes, you can freeze the cake for up to 3 months. To freeze, wrap the cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. Thaw the cake overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
Q: Can I add nuts to the cake? A: Yes, you can add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts to the cake batter or sprinkle them over the top of the pineapple layer before adding the cake batter. This will add a crunchy texture and nutty flavor to the cake.
Q: Can I use a different type of sugar? A: Yes, you can use regular granulated sugar or another type of sweetener like honey or maple syrup. However, keep in mind that this may affect the texture and flavor of the cake.
Smoked Pineapple Upside Down Cake
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: serves 8
Description
If you love Pineapple Upside Down Cake, just wait til you try it smoked on your pellet smoker to amp up the flavor!
Serves 8
Serving Size 1/8 piece of cake- 8 slices
Prep Time 20 minutes (smoking plus mixing batter)
Cook Time 25 minutes
Smoking Wood Any fruit wood
Smoker Temp 250
Rest Time 10 minutes
Ingredients
- 10” cast iron skillet
- 10 slices of smoked pineapple (1 pineapple cored, sliced ½” thick and smoked)
- ¼ cup butter
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 jar maraschino cherries
Cake:
- ½ cup butter – softened to room temperature
- ¾ cup smoked or regular sugar
- 2 eggs – room temp
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups all purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup milk – room temp
Instructions
- Get your smoker to 250 degrees, put the pineapples on and let smoke for 30-45 minutes. Remove and store in the refrigerator until ready to make this recipe
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
- Pour the melted butter into the cast iron skillet, making sure it fully coats the bottom and sides of the skillet.
- Sprinkle brown sugar evenly over butter. Arrange the smoked pineapple on the bottom of the pan, and if there are extras they can be arranged on the side of the pan.
- Place the cherries inside the pineapple slices (and other desired empty spaces if you like!).
- Prepare the vanilla cake- use a hand mixer to beat the butter and sugar until creamy, then add eggs, beating one at a time. Lastly, add the vanilla and mix until combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Slowly add the flour mixture and milk until combined- be sure not to overmix or it will get tough.
- Pour the batter into the cast iron skillet and bake for 30 minutes.
- After 30 minutes, add foil to the top and continue to bake in foil for another 10-15 minutes, or until an toothpick inserted in the batter comes out clean.
- Allow to cool for 15 minutes and then invert onto a larger plate or cake platter for serving. Excellent served with Bourbon and smoked sugar whipped cream!
Notes
Make sure your cast iron pan is well seasoned and coated with butter so your cake pops out easily
The bourbon smoked sugar whipped cream pairs well with most dessert recipes!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
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Did you enjoy this recipe for Smoked Pineapple Upside Down Cake? Check out these other desserts that can be made in your oven, grill or pellet smoker!
