Pineapple Cake with a Smoked Upside-Down Top
My grandma gave me an old recipe card last summer and remarked, “This needs smoke.” I thought she had lost it—cake in a smoker? But there I was, getting the smoker ready at dawn while she watched from her porch chair. The hickory and caramel flavors mixed well, and the pineapple rings looked like amber gems. When we flipped the cake, I got it. Some customs are supposed to change over time. Our family loved this smoked upside-down pineapple cake so much that it became a new classic.
Why You Will Love Smoked Pineapple Cake
It’s like magic to take a classic that you adore and give it a smoky twist. This smoked pineapple upside-down cake has all the great things about the original, plus some layers of flavor that you didn’t know you were missing. The soft smoke from your smoker wraps around the buttery caramel, giving it a depth that makes each mouthful unique.
The best part about this pineapple upside-down cake smoker recipe is that the smoke improves the cake taste instead of worse. You still get the beautiful caramelized pineapple topping, the soft vanilla cake underneath, and the famous maraschino cherries that are hidden in each ring. But now there’s a delicate, nuanced whisper of smoke that makes the whole thing better. It’s cuisine that makes you feel good, but with an adult twist.
This recipe for smoked pineapple upside-down cake excels in its versatility. This cake is perfect for a backyard cookout, a potluck dessert, or just to impress your family on a lazy Sunday. The process of smoking is surprisingly forgiving, and the results look as good as they taste.
How to Cook Upside Down Pineapple Cake in a Smoker
To make this smoked upside-down pineapple cake, you first need to set up your smoker. Use your chosen wood chips to heat it up to 325°F. I like hickory or applewood since they have mild, sweet flavors that go well with the pineapple. Get your cast-iron skillet or oven-safe pan ready while your smoker heats up.
Put butter in the bottom of the pan and let it melt. Then, sprinkle brown sugar over the melted butter. Put your pineapple rings in a single layer, with a cherry in the middle of each ring. This is where the magic starts: the caramel base will turn into liquid gold in the smoker.
To make the cake batter, mix together softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the vanilla essence after beating in the eggs one at a time. Mix the flour, baking powder, and salt together in another basin. Start and end with the flour combination, and add the dry ingredients and milk to the butter mixture in turns. Carefully pour this batter over the pineapple rings that you have set out.
Put your pan in the smoker that has been prepared and let it work its magic for 45 to 55 minutes. The cake should be a golden brown color and bounce back when you touch it. A toothpick should come out clean when you put it in the middle. Before the big finish, let it cool for 10 minutes. Then, flip it onto a serving plate to show off that beautiful caramelized pineapple top.
What goes into Smoked Upside Down Pineapple Cake?
To make this smoked pineapple upside-down cake, you’ll need some simple ingredients that work well together to make something amazing. To make the topping, you’ll need 1/4 cup of unsalted butter, 2/3 cup of packed brown sugar, a 20-ounce can of pineapple rings (drained and 2 tablespoons of juice saved), and maraschino cherries.
You will need 1/3 cup of softened butter, 3/4 cup of granulated sugar, 2 large eggs, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 cup of whole milk mixed with the 2 tablespoons of pineapple juice you set aside.
When you choose wood chips for your smoker, stick with hickory or fruit woods. Strong woods like mesquite can drown out the sweet taste of the pineapple upside-down cake. Keep in mind that we’re not manufacturing beef jerky; we’re only adding a hint of smoke flavor.
How to Make Smoked Upside-Down Pineapple Cake Better
When cooking this smoked upside-down pineapple cake, keeping the temperature just right is essential. You need to keep your smoker around 325°F. If it’s too hot, the bottom will burn, and if it’s too cool, the cake won’t rise right. If your smoker doesn’t have a built-in thermometer that works well, buy a nice one.
Don’t forget to let it rest before you turn it. I discovered this by accident when half of my caramel stuck to the pan. Let your smoked pineapple upside-down cake cool for 10 minutes. Ten minutes is the perfect amount of time for the caramel to set without getting too hard to get off.
If you have one, use a cast-iron skillet. Cast iron pans are superior to most pans in handling temperature changes in a smoker. The even heat distribution helps make the perfect caramelization. You can also use the same skillet to melt the sugar and butter before you add the pineapple rings.
When you put the pineapple rings together, make sure to really pack down the brown sugar layer. Don’t be bashful; this is what makes the amazing caramel sauce. Try coating the pineapple with melted butter before smoking it, like we do with our Tennessee jam cake, to take it to the next level.
Different ways to make Smoked Upside Down Pineapple Cake
There are limitless ways to make smoked upside-down pineapple cake once you’ve mastered the basic recipe. For a summer twist, try using fresh peach slices instead of half of the pineapple rings. The smoke loves both stone fruits and tropical fruits, and the two together are just heavenly.
Brush dark rum on the pineapple rings before putting them in the pan for an adult variation. The alcohol cooks out in the smoker, leaving behind a deep, nuanced sweetness that goes well with the smoke. You may also put a tablespoon of rum right into the cake batter.
People who love coconut can use coconut milk instead of half the milk in the batter and put toasted coconut on top of the brown sugar layer. This makes your tongue feel like a tropical paradise, especially when you use the pineapple upside-down cake smoker method to add a little smoke.
If you want to try something new, add 1/4 teaspoon of cardamom and 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger to the cake batter. These warm spices go well with the smoke and the pineapple. If you want to make more cakes with unusual flavors, look at our matcha cake recipe.
How to Serve Smoked Upside Down Pineapple Cake
This smoked pineapple upside-down cake is beautiful enough to stand on its own, but a dollop of freshly whipped cream makes it much better. The cream is cool and light, which is a great contrast to the cake’s warm, smoky sweetness. If you want to be particularly decadent, add a tablespoon of bourbon to your whipped cream.
Another classic that never fails is vanilla ice cream. The icy creaminess dissolves into the warm caramel, making small rivers of sweet deliciousness surrounding each piece. If you want to truly go all out, try our cookie monster ice cream for a fun twist for kids’ events.
Serve leftover slices with Greek yogurt and a dab of honey for breakfast. The yogurt’s tanginess cuts through the sweetness well, and the honey brings out the caramel undertones even more. It’s a nice way to start your day that doesn’t seem too weighty.
I adore serving this smoked upside-down pineapple cake with coffee and digestifs during dinner gatherings. The smoke and caramel go well with a nice aged rum or bourbon. This cake is rich, so cut smaller pieces than you think you need. For a great dessert spread, serve it with our tiramisu cake.
Conclusion
At first, making a smoked upside-down pineapple cake can seem strange, but after you taste it, you’ll see why so many home cooks love this method. The little smoke gives a classic dessert a touch of elegance, making it feel both old and new at the same time.
This recipe for pineapple upside-down cake is easy to follow and will give you great results whether you’re a seasoned pitmaster or just starting to use your smoker. The ingredients are easy to find, the method is easy to follow, and the results are always great. People stop talking, put down their forks, and ask, “Wait, you made this yourself?” when they see this dish.
So get your smoker going, grab your supplies, and get ready to make something great. This smoked pineapple upside-down cake is more than simply a dessert; it’s a way to start a conversation, make memories, and show that some of the finest recipes come from trying new things.
Questions and Answers about Smoked Upside Down Pineapple Cake
Can I create smoked upside-down pineapple cake in a normal oven?
Of course! You may bake this smoked pineapple upside-down cake in a preheated 350°F oven for 40 to 45 minutes, but you’ll miss the smoky taste that makes it special. Add 1/4 teaspoon of liquid smoke to the batter to give it a little bit of a smoky flavor.
What kind of wood is ideal for smoking a pineapple upside-down cake?
This recipe for a pineapple upside-down cake smoker works great with apple, cherry, or hickory wood. These soft woods offer sweetness without taking over the pineapple flavor. Don’t use mesquite or other strong woods because they can make your cake taste like barbecue.
How can I tell when my smoked upside-down pineapple cake is done?
The top of the cake should be golden brown and spring back when you touch it softly. If a toothpick comes out clean or with only a few wet crumbs, your cake is done. This normally takes 45 to 55 minutes at 325°F in a smoker.
Instead of canned, can I use fresh pineapple?
Yes! This recipe for smoked pineapple upside-down cake works great with fresh pineapple. Slice the pineapple into rings that are 1/2 inch thick and take out the core. You will need roughly seven or eight rings. Just keep in mind that you won’t have the saved juice, so use milk instead in the batter.
What is the best way to keep leftover smoked upside-down pineapple cake?
You may keep the cake at room temperature for up to two days if you wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or put it in an airtight container. You can also keep it in the fridge for up to five days. The flavor of the smoke gets a little stronger while it rests, which makes leftovers taste even better. Before serving, heat the slices in the microwave for 15 to 20 seconds.
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