PINEAPPLE UPSIDE-DOWN CUPCAKES
Sweet and simple pineapple upside down-cupcakes made entirely from scratch (don't worry, they're easy!). With fluffy vanilla cupcake bases topped off with caramelized pineapple and maraschino cherries, these are a great new way to enjoy a classic recipe!
INGREDIENTS:
Topping
- 6 Tablespoons butter, melted
- 20 oz +8 oz can pineapple chunks in pineapple juice (or substitute fresh pineapple)
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 12 Maraschino cherries
Cupcakes
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 2 eggs
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup buttermilk
- ¼ teaspoon salt
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Preheat oven to 350F and lightly spray a 12-count cupcake tin with baking spray.
- Evenly divide butter into the bottom of each cupcake well.
- Sprinkle each well with 1 Tablespoon of brown sugar.
- Rim the bottom of each pan by laying 4 pineapple chunks in a flower pattern over the butter and brown sugar.
- Press a Maraschino cherry into the center of each "flower". Set aside.
Cupcakes
- Prepare your cupcakes by beating together butter and sugar in a medium-sized bowl until creamy and well-combined.
- Add eggs, beating one at a time until combined.
- Stir in vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Alternate adding flour and buttermilk, starting and ending with flour and mixing until just combined after each addition (I prefer to do this part by hand with a spatula to be sure not to over-mix).
- Evenly divide the cupcake batter into your prepared pan. The batter will be thick, so use a spoon to spread it evenly into each cupcake well. Fill each cupcake well all the way to the top.
- Bake on 350F for 22-25 minutes.
- Remove, allow to cool for 5 minutes, and then place a wire cooling rack over the cupcake tin, covering each cupcake.
- Carefully, using potholders as the tin will be very hot, keep the cooling rack pressed against the tin and invert. Lift the muffin tin, the cupcakes should release easily.
- Allow to cool before serving. These pineapple upside down cupcakes taste great served warm with vanilla ice cream!
