Pineapple Upside-Down Gingerbread Cake

One of my friends at church gave me this recipe, but ask me not to use her name on the blog. Now she is in her mid 70's and really sweet so I don't think it has anything to do with the CIA or FBI, but I will respect her wishes. I have not made this but have had a big piece. Wonderful!


"And I had but one penny in the world, thou should'st have it to buy gingerbread.
William Shakespeare in Love's Labor's Lost

Pineapple Upside-Down Gingerbread Cake
8 servings
print recipe

3/4 cup butter, divided
1 1/2 cups firmly packed light brown sugar, divided
2 cups coarsely chopped FRESH pineapple
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup not water
1/2 cup molasses
1 large egg

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Melt 6 tablespoons butter in a 10-inch cast iron skillet or heavy ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Tilt skillet to coat sides. Remove from heat, and stir in 1 cup brown sugar. Arrange pineapple on bottom of skillet; set aside.

2. Stir together flour and next 5 ingredients in a large bowl. Set aside.

3. Melt remaining 6 tablespoons butter in a small saucepan. Remove from heat, and stir in 1/2 cup hot water, molasses, and remaining 1/2 cup brown sugar. Whisk in egg.

4. Add butter mixture gradually to flour mixture, stirring until well blended. Pour batter into prepared skillet.

5. Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out almost clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Invert cake onto a round platter. Scrape any sugar mixture left in skillet over cake. Serve warm or at room temperature.