Calling all dessert lovers! Craving a taste of sunshine? These Mini Pineapple Upside Down Cake are the perfect answer. Made with store-bought sponge cakes, they're incredibly easy to whip up and deliver that delightful caramelized pineapple flavor we all know and love.
![](https://www.devourdinner.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Individual-Pineapple-Upside-Down-Cakes_Devour-Dinner-117-800x1200.jpg)
Plus, they're conveniently sized for individual portions – no need to fight over who gets the bigger slice!
The beauty of this recipe is its versatility. You can whip them up in a flash using your trusty air fryer, making them ideal for a last-minute sweet tooth fix. But these little cakes are also perfect for camping adventures! With minimal ingredients and no fancy equipment required, they're a guaranteed crowd-pleaser around the campfire.
![Individual Pineapple Upside Down Cake](https://www.devourdinner.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Individual-Pineapple-Upside-Down-Cakes_Devour-Dinner-203.jpg)
Here's what you'll need:
- Sponge cakes (enough for the number of cakes you want to make)
- Butter
- Brown Sugar
- Canned pineapple rings (sliced)
- Pineapple Juice (Reserved from canned pineapple)
- Maraschino cherries (optional)
![Ingredients for Pineapple Upside Down Cakes](https://www.devourdinner.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Individual-Pineapple-Upside-Down-Cakes_Devour-Dinner-101-800x1200.jpg)
Air Fryer Method:
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Spread 1 tablespoon softened butter on top of sponge cake.
- On a plate place 1 tablespoon brown sugar and dip pineapple ring into brown sugar allowing the juices from the pineapple to stick the brown sugar and coat.
- Add 1 tablespoon brown sugar to sponge cake on top of butter then top with brown sugar coated pineapple ring.
- Pour 1 tablespoon reserved Pineapple Juices into hole of pineapple ring
- Top with 1 maraschino cherry
- Wrap mini pineapple cake with foil and place upside down in Air Fryer basket.
- Cook at 350F Degrees for 7-9 minutes or until heated through.
- Let cool slightly before carefully removing the cakes with a utensil.
- Carefully unwrap from foil and top with whipped cream, ice cream, and/or caramel drizzle.
![Spreading butter on Sponge Cake](https://www.devourdinner.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Individual-Pineapple-Upside-Down-Cakes_Devour-Dinner-102-800x1200.jpg)
![Dipping Pineapple in Brown Sugar for Pineapple Cakes](https://www.devourdinner.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Individual-Pineapple-Upside-Down-Cakes_Devour-Dinner-105-800x1200.jpg)
![Brown Sugar on Sponge Cake with Butter](https://www.devourdinner.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Individual-Pineapple-Upside-Down-Cakes_Devour-Dinner-103-800x1200.jpg)
![Pineapple Ring Coated in Brown Sugar on top of Sponge Cake](https://www.devourdinner.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Individual-Pineapple-Upside-Down-Cakes_Devour-Dinner-106-800x1200.jpg)
The trick is to add pineapple juice in the center hole on the brown sugar and sponge cake. This will help make that delicious rich sweetened cake we all love.
![Adding reserved pineapple juice to sponge cake](https://www.devourdinner.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Individual-Pineapple-Upside-Down-Cakes_Devour-Dinner-108-800x1200.jpg)
![Top pineapple ring with cherry](https://www.devourdinner.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Individual-Pineapple-Upside-Down-Cakes_Devour-Dinner-110-800x1200.jpg)
Tightly wrap the foil around each individual cake, creating a little sealed package.
Now comes the fun part! Carefully flip the wrapped cake upside down, so the foil "cup" holds the cake in place.
Place the wrapped, upside-down cake directly in your air fryer basket. This way, the delicious pineapple juices and caramelized sugar will pool at the bottom during cooking, just like a classic upside-down cake.
![Pineapple Upside Down Cakes wrapped in foil in Air Fyer](https://www.devourdinner.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Individual-Pineapple-Upside-Down-Cakes_Devour-Dinner-111-800x1200.jpg)
Campfire Method:
- Follow steps 2-7 from the air fryer method above.
- Wrap each Mini Pineapple Cake with aluminum foil and seal tightly.
- Place foil packets upside down and into a dutch oven or throw onto the hot coals of a campfire. Keeping away from open flames for 5-7 minutes.
- Carefully remove the packages from the heat and let them cool slightly before unwrapping.
![Hot Pineapple Upside Down Cakes](https://www.devourdinner.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Individual-Pineapple-Upside-Down-Cakes_Devour-Dinner-112-800x1200.jpg)
Pro Tips:
- Don't overcook the cakes! Keep an eye on them during the last couple of minutes to prevent burning.
- Want to add a little extra somethin' somethin'? Drizzle some melted white chocolate or caramel sauce over the warm cakes before serving.
- Try serving with Salted Caramel Ice Cream or even Homemade Ice Cream for an added treat.
- Leftovers? No problem! Store these mini cakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
The beauty of this recipe is its simplicity. Since it uses store-bought sponge cakes and just a few other ingredients, you can skip pulling out extra tools like mini muffin tins, a hand mixer, a mixing bowl, paper liners, or even a saucepan!
![Individual Pineapple Upside Down Cake](https://www.devourdinner.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Individual-Pineapple-Upside-Down-Cakes_Devour-Dinner-201.jpg)
Planning a camping trip? I've got you covered with other great camping recipes to make your time in nature the best yet! Try Fun S'more on a Stick Recipe, Dutch Oven Peach Cobbler , Dutch Oven Potatoes with Cheese, Cowboy Beans a Dutch Oven full of Baked Beans, Easy Campfire S'mores, and my favorite Easy Campfire Cones a Fruit Waffle Cones Dessert.
Mini Pineapple Upside Down Cakes
Ingredients
- 4 Sponge Cakes - round
- 4 Tablespoons Butter - softened
- 8 Tablespoons Brown Sugar - Divided
- 4 Pineapple Rings
- 4 Tablespoons Pineapple Juice - Reserved from Can
- 4 Maraschino Cherries
Instructions
- Preheat Air Fryer to 350F Degrees
- Place 1 round sponge cake on large square of Aluminum Foil
- Spread softened butter on top of sponge cake
- Pour 1 tablespoon brown sugar onto butter
- On a separate plate place 4 tablespoons brown sugar and dip pineapple rings into brown sugar allowing rings to coat on both sides
- Place coated pineapple ring on top of sponge cake with butter and brown sugar
- Pour 1 Tablespoon pineapple juices into center of ring on sponge cake
- Top with Maraschino Cherry
- Carefully wrap mini pineapple cake with aluminum foil and tightly seal
- Turn foil packet over and place into Air Fryer Basket
- Air Fry for 7-9 minutes or until cake is heated through and butter and brown sugar have coated cake.
- Allow packet to cool for a few minutes before opening
- Serve Mini Pineapple Upside Down cake with a caramel drizzle, or add Ice Cream or Whipping Cream.
Notes
Additional Serving Ideas
- Ice Cream: Vanilla, Salted Caramel, Pineapple Sherbet
- Sauce: Caramel, White Chocolate
Storage
Store leftover cakes in a sealed container or use a ZipLoc BagNutrition Disclaimer
All nutrition values are approximate and calculated by a plugin and are provided as a courtesy. Adding or subtracting ingredients will change the nutritional value.
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