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Recipes to Make with Kids: Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Updated: Oct 26

Four mini pineapple upside-down cakes on a wooden surface, topped with red cherries. Warm tones, moist texture, sweet and inviting.
Mini Pineapple Upside Down Cakes made in a 12-cavity muffin pan.

My son Luke's favorite thing for him and I to make together is Pineapple Upside Down Cake. He and I first made one together when he was three years old, right after I got the book Mommy & Me Bake.


If your child isn't a big fan of frosting or if you don't want them to have the sugar load of frosting, this is a great option.


Luke and I have made Pineapple Upside Down Cake in a 8-inch round cake pan, 12-cavity muffin pan, and a 6-cavity jumbo muffin pan. We've also made them with regular yellow cake mix, gluten-free yellow cake mix, and from scratch.


Every time - delicious!

Grandfather holding toddler in kitchen, both smiling at pineapple upside-down cake on granite counter. Warm, joyful atmosphere.
Our first one made together. My dad holding him up to see the finished product.

Here's how we make it using a 12-cavity muffin pan:


  • Follow the cake box directions to make a bowl of yellow cake mix batter.

  • Generously spread softened butter into each cavity until well-coated. I put Luke on the floor for this step and let him do it by hand, having fun and making a mess.

  • After he's all cleaned up from that step, I let him put one maraschino cherry and 3-4 pineapple chunks into each cavity. It's a challenge to get them all to fit, but pack them in there. It's okay if it's not perfect or they over-lap. I also let Luke do this step while on the floor with a beach towel beneath him.

  • Then pour cake batter over the fruit until each cavity is almost full. If you have left over batter, make some more later!

  • Bake until golden brown. I personally don't use an oven timer but I think this about 20-30 minutes.

Young child in green shirt holding cake, face smeared with frosting. Background shows a blurred green outdoor scene.
Eat by hand? Sure, why not!

Now, here's the step that makes Pineapple Upside Down Cake so much fun for kids. Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, use pot holders and FLIP it onto a plate.


Build up the mystery of whether or not the cake will stick to the pan. Add a drumroll and hope for success! Lord willing, it comes out clean. If not, just grab what stuck to the pan and push it on top. This is Luke's favorite part is definitely the big flip!


Maybe it's just our house, but this fruit-topped cake is just so great.


Let me know in the comments if you make it with your kids!


P.S. - If your child doesn't like pineapples, use bananas instead!



Want more baking fun? Check out Recipes to Make with Kids on our blog, and sign-up your child for an upcoming baking class near you!


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