Cranberry Pineapple Flip Cake Recipe: Sweet Joy in Every Bite

Sweet, buttery layers of golden cake mingle with vibrant cranberry pineapple upside-down cake magic in this irresistible dessert.

Tart crimson berries and juicy golden pineapple slices create a stunning caramelized topping that gleams with rich, warm colors.

Each slice promises a delightful balance of tangy and sweet flavors that dance across your palate.

The cake tender crumb provides the perfect foundation for the luscious fruit layer.

Warm spices add depth and complexity to this classic dessert, making it a showstopper at any gathering.

Seasonal cranberries bring a festive touch to this reimagined classic that’s sure to impress.

You’ll love how simple ingredients come together to create such a memorable treat that everyone will adore.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 380 kcal

Servings: 9

Cranberry Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Ingredients

• Cranberries: Tart berries that provide vibrant flavor and festive color to the dessert, choose plump and firm berries with deep red hue.
• Sugar: Balances cranberries' tartness and helps create smooth sauce, opt for granulated white sugar.
• Orange Zest: Adds bright citrusy notes and aromatic depth, select fresh oranges with firm, fragrant skin.
• Lemon Juice: Enhances tanginess and helps break down cranberries, choose ripe, juicy lemons.
• Salt and Pepper: Subtle seasonings that elevate the sauce's complexity, use freshly ground black pepper.

• Butter: Creates rich, creamy base for glaze, select high-quality unsalted butter.
• Brown Sugar: Provides deep caramel notes and moisture, choose dark brown sugar for intense flavor.
• Corn Syrup: Ensures smooth, glossy glaze texture, use light corn syrup.
• Vanilla: Introduces warm, comforting undertones, select pure vanilla extract.
• Pineapple Rings: Adds tropical sweetness and moisture, choose ripe, golden pineapple.

• Egg Whites, Egg Yolks: Provide structure and richness, use fresh room-temperature eggs.
• Flour, Cornstarch: Creates tender cake texture, use all-purpose flour and pure cornstarch.
• Baking Powder: Ensures light, fluffy cake rise, check freshness of leavening agent.
• Buttermilk: Adds tanginess and tender crumb, choose full-fat buttermilk.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Sweetens and caramelizes cake, mix different sugar types for complexity.
• Vanilla: Enhances overall flavor profile, use high-quality pure vanilla extract.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies other flavors, use fine sea salt.

Tools You’ll Need for Pineapple Cranberry Cake

• Springform Pans: Six 4-inch pans for perfect individual servings.
• Parchment Paper: Essential for easy cake removal and smooth bottoms.
• Standing Mixer: Crucial for beating egg whites and creaming butter and sugar.
• Heavy-Bottomed Saucepan: Helps cook cranberry sauce evenly without burning.
• Mixing Bowls: Needed for separating eggs, mixing dry and wet ingredients.
• Whisk: Perfect for beating egg whites and combining dry ingredients.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise measurements for baking success.
• Spatula: Helps fold egg whites and spread glaze smoothly.
• Toothpick: Checks cake doneness by testing for clean insertion.

Bake a Cranberry Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Easily

Cranberry Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

• Cranberry Sauce Preparation

Create a vibrant sauce by simmering most of the cranberries with sugar, orange zest, and lemon juice. Let the berries burst and soften, creating a tangy base. Stir in remaining whole cranberries for texture and adjust sweetness as needed.

• Caramel Foundation

Craft a luscious caramel layer by whipping butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup until creamy. Grease cake pans and spread this golden mixture evenly. Arrange delicate pineapple rings over the caramel, creating a beautiful base for the cake.

• Cake Batter Magic

Separate egg whites and yolks for an incredibly light texture. Whip egg whites to glossy peaks, then gently blend with a rich mixture of creamed butter, sugars, and egg yolks. Carefully fold in flour mixture and buttermilk, maintaining the airiness of the batter.

• Baking Transformation

Warm the oven to create the perfect baking environment. Pour the silky batter into prepared pans, filling them generously. Bake until the cakes turn golden and a toothpick comes out clean, revealing a perfectly risen dessert.

• Dramatic Reveal

Allow the cakes to rest briefly after baking. Carefully invert onto serving plates, watching the caramelized pineapple and cranberry sauce create a stunning topping. Serve warm for maximum flavor and visual appeal, or store for a delightful treat later.

Tips for Perfect Upside-Down Cake Texture

• Infuse extra depth by adding a splash of rum or orange liqueur to the cranberry sauce for a sophisticated twist that elevates the cake's complexity.
• Prepare the cranberry sauce and caramel glaze up to three days in advance, storing them separately in airtight containers to streamline your baking process and save time.
• Experiment with different fruit combinations like fresh raspberries or mandarin oranges to create unique variations that keep the recipe exciting and personalized.
• Replace buttermilk with dairy-free alternatives like almond milk mixed with apple cider vinegar for a gluten-free and vegan-friendly version that doesn't compromise on moisture or flavor.
• Don't have small springform pans? Convert this recipe to a single 9-inch cake by adjusting baking time to 45-50 minutes and ensuring the center is fully cooked before removing from the oven.

How to Serve Pineapple Cranberry Cake

• Festive Holiday Centerpiece: Create a stunning dessert display by arranging the individual upside-down cakes on a rustic wooden board, garnished with fresh cranberries, orange zest, and sprigs of mint for a festive winter look.
• Complementary Flavor Pairings: Serve alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream with a light dusting of cinnamon to enhance the cake's rich cranberry and pineapple flavors.
• Brunch Delight Presentation: Pair these individual cakes with a warm cup of spiced chai tea or a mimosa for an elegant weekend brunch spread that will impress guests with its sophisticated yet comforting appeal.
• Gifting and Packaging: Wrap each cake individually in clear cellophane with a festive ribbon, making them perfect homemade gifts for neighbors, teachers, or holiday gatherings – a personal touch that shows true culinary love.

Store Cranberry Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Safely

• Fridge Fresh Storage: Wrap individual cake slices in plastic wrap or place in airtight containers. These delightful treats stay moist and delectable for 3-4 days when refrigerated at a consistent 40°F.
• Counter Comfort: Enjoy room temperature cake within 24 hours. Keep in a covered cake stand away from direct sunlight to maintain optimal texture and flavor profile.
• Freezer Friendly Option: Carefully wrap entire cakes or individual portions in double layers of plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Frozen cakes maintain quality for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving for best results.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cranberry sauce and caramel glaze up to 5 days in advance. Store separately in sealed glass containers in the refrigerator. This strategy saves time and allows flavors to develop beautifully before final cake assembly.

Tangy Cranberry Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 9 1x

Print Recipe

Description

Delicious cranberry pineapple upside-down cake blends tropical sweetness with tart berry notes. Moist layers combine rich flavors, creating a festive dessert perfect for holiday gatherings when you crave something special.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 6 oz (170 g) fresh or frozen cranberries
• 6 sliced rings of canned pineapple
• 1.5 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup dark brown sugar
• 2 tbsps corn syrup
• 4 large eggs, at room temperature
• ½ cup (4 oz/113 g) butter, at room temperature
• ¼ cup dark brown sugar
• 1.5 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup cornstarch
• ½ cup buttermilk, at room temperature
• 3 tsps pure vanilla extract
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp table salt (or 1.25 tsps kosher salt)
• 1 tbsp orange zest
• 1 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
• ½ tsp salt
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Cranberry Sauce Creation: Simmer cranberries with sugar, orange zest, and lemon juice over medium heat until berries soften and break down, then increase heat to create a rich, glossy texture. Fold in whole cranberries, season with salt and pepper, and cool completely to intensify flavors.
2. Pan Preparation: Grease six individual springform pans and line bottoms with parchment paper. Craft a caramel glaze by whipping butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, vanilla, and salt until light and airy. Distribute caramel evenly across pan bottoms.
3. Fruit Layer Assembly: Spread cooled cranberry sauce over caramel, then carefully place pineapple rings on top, gently pressing to secure.
4. Batter Composition: Preheat oven to 350°F. Separate egg whites and yolks; whip whites to stiff peaks with gradual sugar incorporation. In a separate bowl, cream butter with sugars, adding vanilla and egg yolks to create a smooth base.
5. Dry Ingredient Integration: Combine flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt. Alternately add dry ingredients and buttermilk to butter mixture, maintaining moisture balance. Delicately fold whipped egg whites into batter to preserve airiness.
6. Baking Process: Divide batter among prepared pans, filling nearly to the top. Bake for 30-35 minutes, checking doneness with a clean toothpick insertion.
7. Serving Presentation: Allow cakes to rest briefly in pans, then invert onto serving plates, removing parchment carefully. Serve warm for optimal flavor, or refrigerate up to three days to maintain texture.

Notes

• Cranberry Caramelization Tip: Simmer cranberries slowly to develop a rich, complex sauce with deep flavor nuances, avoiding rushed cooking that can compromise taste.
• Egg White Whipping Technique: Whip egg whites to stiff peaks meticulously, ensuring they’re voluminous and stable to create an incredibly light, airy cake texture.
• Moisture Balance Strategy: Alternate dry ingredients and buttermilk carefully to prevent overmixing, which can result in a dense, tough cake structure.
• Temperature Control Hack: Allow cake to cool briefly in pan before inverting to help caramel and fruit topping set properly, preventing potential structural collapse.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 46 g
• Sodium: 350 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 60 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg