Duncan Hines Pineapple Upside Down Cake – A Classic Dessert Made Effortless

Duncan Hines Pineapple Upside Down Cake is proof that timeless desserts never go out of style. With its glossy caramelized pineapple topping, bright cherries, and soft vanilla cake base, this dessert has been a family favorite for generations. Using a boxed cake mix simplifies the process without sacrificing flavor, making this cake perfect for busy home bakers who still want bakery-worthy results.

This recipe takes everything you love about traditional pineapple upside down cake and streamlines it. The brown sugar and butter melt into a rich caramel that coats the fruit as it bakes, while the cake rises around it, locking in moisture and sweetness. When flipped, the result is dramatic, nostalgic, and irresistibly delicious.

Whether you’re baking for a holiday, potluck, or casual weeknight dessert, this version delivers reliable success with minimal effort.

Why Pineapple Upside Down Cake Is a Timeless Favorite

Pineapple upside down cake dates back to the early 1900s when canned pineapple became widely available. Home cooks embraced the technique of baking fruit beneath the cake batter, then flipping it to reveal a decorative topping.

The combination of sweet pineapple, caramelized brown sugar, and tender cake quickly became iconic. Today, it remains a beloved dessert because it balances sweetness with fruitiness and delivers visual appeal without complicated decorating.

Using a Duncan Hines cake mix keeps the cake consistently light and fluffy while allowing the topping to shine.

Ingredients

• Duncan Hines yellow cake mix
• Eggs
• Vegetable oil
• Pineapple juice (reserved from canned pineapple)
• Unsalted butter
• Brown sugar
• Pineapple rings
• Maraschino cherries

Each ingredient plays a key role. The butter and brown sugar create the caramel base, the pineapple adds juiciness and brightness, and the cake mix ensures a tender crumb every time.

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven
   Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a round or square baking pan lightly.
2. Make the Topping
   Melt butter and pour it evenly into the bottom of the pan. Sprinkle brown sugar evenly over the butter.
3. Arrange the Fruit
   Place pineapple rings over the brown sugar layer. Set a cherry in the center of each ring.
4. Prepare the Cake Batter
   In a large bowl, prepare the Duncan Hines cake mix according to package directions, replacing water with pineapple juice for extra flavor.
5. Add Batter to Pan
   Pour batter gently over the pineapple layer, spreading evenly.
6. Bake
   Bake for 40–45 minutes, until golden and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
7. Flip the Cake
   Let the cake cool for 5 minutes, then invert onto a serving plate while still warm.

Duncan Hines Pineapple Upside Down Cake

A classic pineapple upside down cake made easy using Duncan Hines yellow cake mix with caramelized pineapple and cherries.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Servings: 8 slices

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Calories: 380

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Cake

• 1 box Duncan Hines yellow cake mix
• 3 eggs
• 0.5 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup pineapple juice reserved

Topping

• 0.25 cup unsalted butter melted
• 0.75 cup brown sugar
• 7 rings pineapple rings drained
• 7 maraschino cherries

Equipment

• Baking pan
• Mixing bowl
• Whisk or mixer
• Oven

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease baking pan.
2. Pour melted butter into pan and sprinkle with brown sugar.
3. Arrange pineapple rings and cherries over sugar layer.
4. Prepare cake mix using pineapple juice instead of water.
5. Pour batter over fruit and bake 40–45 minutes.
6. Cool 5 minutes, then invert onto serving plate.

Notes

Invert cake while warm for best release.

Tips for the Best Pineapple Upside Down Cake

• Flip While Warm: Waiting too long can cause sticking.
• Don’t Overbake: Overbaking dries out the cake.
• Drain Pineapple Well: Too much liquid can make the topping soggy.
• Use Pineapple Juice: Enhances flavor dramatically.

Delicious Variations

• Coconut Twist: Add shredded coconut to the batter.
• Cherry Lover’s Version: Use extra cherries between pineapple rings.
• Mini Cakes: Bake in muffin tins for individual servings.
• Spiced Version: Add cinnamon to the brown sugar layer.

Serving Suggestions

Serve warm or room temperature. This cake pairs beautifully with:

• Vanilla ice cream
• Whipped cream
• Light dusting of powdered sugar

It’s perfect for holidays, birthdays, potlucks, and family gatherings.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

• Room Temperature: Store covered for up to 2 days.
• Refrigerate: Keeps well for up to 4 days.
• Reheat: Warm slices gently in the microwave.

Why This Recipe Works Every Time

Duncan Hines Pineapple Upside Down Cake delivers consistency, nostalgia, and flavor with minimal effort. It’s beginner-friendly, crowd-pleasing, and visually stunning — all without complicated techniques.

Once you make it, it becomes a go-to dessert you’ll rely on again and again.