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Pineapple upside down cake is a nostalgic dessert that many of us remember fondly. And it’s still a popular dessert. The sweet and delicious cake with maraschino cherries and pineapple rings is a mouthwatering sweet treat. These pie iron pineapple upside down cakes can be made and cooked easily over a campfire. You only need four ingredients to make them and everyone is going to love the flavors.
Pie iron pineapple upside down cakes are the perfect dessert if you’re cooking on a campfire. They are fruity, sweet and totally delicious!
Pineapple fans! Also consider coconut pineapple lush dessert, pineapple scones, chicken with pineapple salsa, or a lime pineapple agua fresca.
Why You’ll Love This
Easy: You only need 4 different ingredients for this upside-down cake and they’re really quick and simple to make.
Delicious: Sweet and fruity, this dessert offers a rich and satisfying flavor. It’s great after any kind of meal.
Campfire-friendly: Although the classic cake is baked in the oven, this dessert was created for the pie iron, making it a wonderful idea for dessert if you’re camping!
Pie Iron Pineapple Dessert Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below
Vanilla shortcakes: One of the main ingredients. You can use another flavor of shortcakes if you wish.
Maraschino cherries: To add a pop of color and a juicy sweet flavor.
Pineapple rings: You could use fresh pineapple but these are easier. You can use the ones in juice or the ones in syrup, as you prefer.
Brown sugar: Adds a rich and caramelized flavor. Sub white if you like.
How to Make Pineapple Upside Down Cake
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card
Prepare the campfire: Get the campfire or charcoal grill ready and heat you pie iron over either the open fire or the hot coals.
Assemble the pineapple upside down cakes: Take the pie iron off the heat and put a shortcake in there, open side down, followed by a pineapple ring on top and then a maraschino cherry. Sprinkle brown sugar evenly across the top.
Cook: Cook pineapple side down for 5 to 10 minutes over the heat until the pineapple begins to caramelize. Transfer the cooked pineapple upside down cake on to a plate and repeat with the remaining ingredients to make the rest. Serve hot.
Substitutions and Variations
Different sweetener: You can use white sugar or artificial sweetener in place of the brown sugar.
Fresh pineapple: Chopping up fresh pineapples might not be what you want to do while camping but if you love fresh pineapple you can use that.
Gluten-free variation: Feel free to use gluten-free shortcakes or another type of gluten-free cake.
Serving Suggestions
Snacks: Camping-friendly snacks include cool ranch jerky trail mix or any of these easy snack mixes.
Main dishes: If you’re camping, you might like to have surf and turf foil packs, sausage and potato foil packs, or Philly cheesesteak foil packets to enjoy before dessert.
How to Store Pineapple Upside Down Dessert
Store: This dessert is best enjoyed fresh from the campfire but leftovers will keep for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
Freeze: This isn’t suitable for freezing because it will thaw out mushy and messy.
Reheat: Leftovers can be warmed back up over the campfire or in a hot oven (or microwave).
Top Tips
Check often: The cooking time is influenced by the heat of your campfire, the type of pie iron you’re using and how thick the pineapple slice is, so it’s best to check for doneness after 5 minutes and then give it a few more minutes and check again if needed.
Be careful: Nobody wants to burn themselves, so take care when using your pie iron and, if older children are using the pie iron, supervise them closely.
Serving idea: Although pineapple upside down cake is delicious as it is, you might like to add vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. The ice cream might be best if you’re making this at home (unless you have a camping freezer!)
Pineapple Upside Down Cake FAQs
Image a pair of cast iron pans on fireproof handles that come together at a hinge. This tool is popular among campers. You can use pie irons to make biscuits, casseroles, sandwiches (known as pudgie pies, mountain pies, or hobo pies), and desserts.
Yes, you should season it like you would a regular cast iron pan. This means oiling it and baking, and repeating until seasoned. If you do this, they will develop a nonstick interior. If you have a new pie iron just check the instructions that came with it.
If camping, it’s a good idea to get the prep done before you set off. If you’re using canned pineapple, don’t forget the can opener. If you’re using fresh, slice it at home and pack it in an airtight container. It’s easier to do those things at home rather than on a campsite.
Pineapple Upside Down Cake Recipe
Pie Iron Pineapple Upside Down Cakes
Ingredients
- 4 pineapple rings
- 4 maraschino cherries
- 8 Tablespoons brown sugar
- 4 dessert cups, shortcake
Instructions
- Prepare a campfire or charcoal grill for cooking and heat a pie oven over the open fire or hot coals.
- Remove the pie iron from the fire. Place a shortcake open side down in there and top it with a pineapple ring and then a stemless maraschino cherry in the hole.
- Sprinkle brown sugar on top and cook for 5 to 10 minutes or until the sugar melts and the pineapple starts to caramelize. Keep an eye on it, as the cooking time varies depending on the temperature of the fire and where it's placed.
- Take the shortcake out of the pie iron (carefully!) and transfer to a plate. Repeat with the rest of the ingredients to make 3 more of these desserts. Serve hot.
Notes
Nutrition
This campfire pineapple upside down cake recipe is a fun dessert the whole family will love. Invest in a pie iron and you can make this delicious dessert along with other desserts and savory recipes too. Camping is about to become even more delicious when you bring along your pie iron and the ingredients to make this delicious pineapple upside down cake!
Other Recipes to Try
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
