The Hairy Bikers Pineapple Upside Down Cake is a classic, old-fashioned dessert that’s beloved for its caramelized pineapple topping and soft, buttery sponge. This retro cake is as visually appealing as it is delicious, with the juicy pineapple rings and maraschino cherries beautifully arranged on top. It’s the perfect dessert for family gatherings, Sunday lunches, or just a sweet treat to enjoy at home.
What is Hairy Bikers Pineapple Upside Down Cake?
The Pineapple Upside Down Cake by Hairy Bikers is a light, fluffy sponge cake that is baked with pineapple rings and cherries at the bottom of the tin. Once baked and flipped upside down, the cake reveals a caramelized, golden pineapple top. The combination of the buttery cake with the sweet and tangy pineapples makes this dessert a nostalgic favorite for all ages.
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Why You Should Try This Recipe
- Caramelized Topping: The sugar-butter mixture creates a deliciously sticky, caramelized pineapple top.
- Classic Dessert: A timeless dessert that never goes out of style.
- Simple Ingredients: Uses basic pantry ingredients that are easy to find.
- Visually Appealing: The pineapple and cherry topping look beautiful when the cake is inverted.
- Perfect Balance of Sweet and Tangy: The sweetness of the cake is balanced by the tartness of the pineapple.
- Great for All Occasions: Whether for a family gathering or a casual treat, this cake always impresses.
Ingredients Needed to Make Hairy Bikers Pineapple Upside Down Cake
- Canned pineapple rings: The star of the show, these add sweetness and texture to the cake.
- Maraschino cherries: Placed in the center of each pineapple ring for a pop of color and flavor.
- Butter: Used for both the topping and the cake batter to add richness.
- Light brown sugar: Creates the caramelized topping for the pineapples.
- Caster sugar: Sweetens the sponge cake.
- Self-raising flour: Ensures a light, fluffy sponge.
- Eggs: Bind the ingredients and give the cake structure.
- Milk: Adds moisture to the cake batter.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor of the cake.
Equipment
- Cake tin: A 9-inch round cake tin works best for this recipe.
- Mixing bowls: For preparing the cake batter and topping.
- Electric mixer: To make mixing the batter quicker and easier.
- Spatula: For spreading the batter evenly in the tin.
- Cooling rack: Essential for cooling the cake once it’s baked.
Instructions to Make Hairy Bikers Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
Before starting, preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and grease your 9-inch cake tin with butter.
1. Prepare the Caramelized Topping
- Melt the Butter and Sugar: In a small saucepan, melt 50g of butter and 100g of light brown sugar together over medium heat. Stir continuously until the sugar dissolves and the mixture turns into a smooth caramel.
- Arrange the Pineapples and Cherries: Pour the caramel mixture into the base of the greased cake tin. Arrange the pineapple rings on top of the caramel, and place a maraschino cherry in the center of each pineapple ring.
2. Make the Cake Batter
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream 100g of butter and 100g of caster sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Add the Eggs: Beat in two eggs, one at a time, making sure they are fully incorporated before adding the next.
- Add the Dry Ingredients: Sift in 200g of self-raising flour and gently fold it into the butter mixture.
- Add Milk and Vanilla: Stir in 2 tablespoons of milk and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to create a smooth batter.
3. Assemble and Bake the Cake
- Pour the Batter: Gently pour the cake batter over the pineapple rings and spread it evenly with a spatula.
- Bake the Cake: Place the tin in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool the Cake: Allow the cake to cool in the tin for 10 minutes before carefully inverting it onto a serving plate to reveal the caramelized pineapple top.
What Goes Well With Hairy Bikers Pineapple Upside Down Cake
- Vanilla ice cream: The cool creaminess contrasts beautifully with the warm cake.
- Whipped cream: A light and airy topping that pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the cake.
- Caramel sauce: Drizzle extra caramel sauce over the cake for added richness.
- Custard: A traditional option that brings a creamy texture to the dessert.
- Fresh berries: Adds a pop of freshness and color alongside the cake.
Expert Tips for Making the Best Hairy Bikers Pineapple Upside Down Cake
- Use room temperature ingredients: This helps the batter come together smoothly and results in a more even bake.
- Don’t overmix the batter: Overmixing can cause the cake to become dense instead of light and fluffy.
- Test with a skewer: Insert a skewer into the center of the cake to check if it’s fully baked. It should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Invert carefully: Let the cake cool slightly before inverting it to prevent the topping from sticking to the tin.
- Serve warm: This cake is best enjoyed warm for the ultimate caramelized texture.
Easy Variations of Hairy Bikers Pineapple Upside Down Cake
- Use fresh pineapple: Swap out the canned pineapple for fresh slices for a more natural flavor.
- Try a different fruit: Replace the pineapples with peaches, apples, or pears for a fruity twist.
- Add coconut: Mix shredded coconut into the cake batter for a tropical variation.
- Spiced version: Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the batter for a warm, spiced flavor.
- Gluten-free option: Use a gluten-free self-raising flour blend to make the cake suitable for gluten-intolerant guests.
Best Practices to Store Hairy Bikers Pineapple Upside Down Cake
- Room temperature: Store the cake in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Refrigeration: For longer storage, keep the cake in the fridge for up to 4 days. Bring to room temperature before serving.
- Freezing: You can freeze the cake by wrapping individual slices in cling film and storing them in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
Best Practices to Reheat Hairy Bikers Pineapple Upside Down Cake
- Microwave: Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds.
- Oven: Reheat the entire cake in a preheated oven at 150°C (300°F) for 10-15 minutes until warmed through.
Nutrition Value (per serving)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Protein: 4g
- Fat: 15g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Sugar: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
Final Words
The Hairy Bikers Pineapple Upside Down Cake is a timeless dessert that combines the sweetness of caramelized pineapple with a soft, buttery sponge. It’s simple yet impressive and perfect for any occasion.
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Hairy Bikers Pineapple Upside Down Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 35
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 8
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Description
The Pineapple Upside Down Cake by Hairy Bikers is a light, fluffy sponge cake that is baked with pineapple rings and cherries at the bottom of the tin. Once baked and flipped upside down, the cake reveals a caramelized, golden pineapple top. The combination of the buttery cake with the sweet and tangy pineapples makes this dessert a nostalgic favorite for all ages.
Ingredients
- Canned pineapple rings: The star of the show, these adds sweetness and texture to the cake.
- Maraschino cherries: Placed in the center of each pineapple ring for a pop of color and flavor.
- Butter: Used for both the topping and the cake batter to add richness.
- Light brown sugar: Creates the caramelized topping for the pineapples.
- Caster sugar: Sweetens the sponge cake.
- Self-raising flour: Ensures a light, fluffy sponge.
- Eggs: Bind the ingredients and give the cake structure.
- Milk: Adds moisture to the cake batter.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor of the cake.
Instructions
1. Prepare the Caramelized Topping
- Melt the Butter and Sugar: In a small saucepan, melt 50g of butter and 100g of light brown sugar together over medium heat. Stir continuously until the sugar dissolves and the mixture turns into a smooth caramel.
- Arrange the Pineapples and Cherries: Pour the caramel mixture into the base of the greased cake tin. Arrange the pineapple rings on top of the caramel, and place a maraschino cherry in the center of each pineapple ring.
2. Make the Cake Batter
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream 100g of butter and 100g of caster sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Add the Eggs: Beat in two eggs, one at a time, making sure they are fully incorporated before adding the next.
- Add the Dry Ingredients: Sift in 200g of self-raising flour and gently fold it into the butter mixture.
- Add Milk and Vanilla: Stir in 2 tablespoons of milk and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to create a smooth batter.
3. Assemble and Bake the Cake
- Pour the Batter: Gently pour the cake batter over the pineapple rings and spread it evenly with a spatula.
- Bake the Cake: Place the tin in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool the Cake: Allow the cake to cool in the tin for 10 minutes before carefully inverting it onto a serving plate to reveal the caramelized pineapple top.
