PINEAPPLE UPSIDE DOWN CAKE...and A MARTINI TOO!!

Both my parents are excellent cooks/bakers and growing up, a Pineapple Upside Down Cake was made in our cast iron skillet often. The caramelized pineapple from the brown sugar mix drizzling down the cake after inverted was a sight to behold. Loved eating a slice warm. 

Imagine my awe and delight when this Sumner on vacation, I saw the words Pineapple Upside Down Cake Martini on the menu. Yes please!

It was love at first sip! I knew I'd have to make this!

You can make it in a 9x13 pan but for me, this cake baked in cast iron, is the only way.

So, here is the cake and the martini recipes for you to enjoy by themselves or go upside down crazy and enjoy them together!!!! That's what I'm doing!!! Pineapple Paaaar-Tay!!!!

Pineapple Upside Down Cake 
INGREDIENTS
1 Box Yellow Cake Mix ( I prefer Betty Crocker)
1/4 cup (half a stick) butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 can sliced pineapple (reserve the juice)
Maraschino Cherries

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 325 degrees, (350 if using a glass or light metal pan) In a 10-inch cast iron skillet or a 

9 by 13 inch cake pan over low heat, melt butter. Stir in brown sugar until well blended. Remove from heat.

 Drain canned pineapple, reserving pineapple juice (for cake batter). Arrange drained pineapple slices onto top of sugar mixture. Place a maraschino cherry in center of each slice.

Set aside until ready to pour the prepared cake batter on top.

Make cake batter as directed on box, substituting pineapple juice mixture for the water. Add water to desired amount need if not enough juice. Pour batter over pineapple and cherries.

Bake 40 to 50 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Immediately run knife around side of pan to loosen cake. Place heatproof serving plate upside down onto pan; turn plate and pan over. Leave pan over cake 5 minutes so brown sugar topping can drizzle over cake; remove pan. Cool 30 minutes. Serve warm or cool

NOW to THE EVEN BETTER RECIPE.....

Pineapple Upside Down Cake Martini 
2 oz. vanilla vodka
4 oz. pineapple juice
1 oz. white cranberry juice
Splash of grenadine

Combine vodka, pineapple juice and white cranberry juice in a shaker filled with ice. Shake and pour. Add a splash of grenadine to each glass. Garnish with a cherry and or pineapple slice! Optional : Garnish rim with sugar or graham crackers.

Enjoy!!

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xoxo

"Life is like a Pineapple, sweet and undefinable."

~Piet Hein