Upside-down cake

Upside-down cake

A traditional pineapple upside-down cake

An upside-down cake with various fruits

A pear upside-down cake

Another version of pineapple upside-down cake

Apricot upside-down cornmeal cake

Tarte Tatin, a French upside-down apple tart

An upside-down cake is a cake that is baked in a single pan with its toppings at the bottom of the pan. When removed from the oven, the cake is flipped over and served upside-down, with the toppings on top. The most common variant is the pineapple upside-down cake, but other fruits such as apples, pears, peaches, and apricots can also be used.

History

The concept of cooking a cake upside-down is an ancient technique that dates back to the Middle Ages. Originally, these cakes were cooked in cast iron skillets over an open flame. The modern version of the upside-down cake became popular in the United States in the early 20th century, particularly after the introduction of canned pineapple by the Dole Food Company.

Preparation

To prepare an upside-down cake, a layer of fruit is arranged at the bottom of a cake pan, often with a mixture of butter and sugar to create a caramelized topping. A cake batter is then poured over the fruit. After baking, the cake is inverted onto a serving plate, revealing the fruit topping.

Variations

• Pineapple upside-down cake: The most iconic version, typically made with canned pineapple rings and maraschino cherries.
• Apple upside-down cake: Uses sliced apples, often with cinnamon and nutmeg.
• Pear upside-down cake: Features sliced pears, sometimes with ginger or cardamom.
• Apricot upside-down cake: Made with fresh or canned apricots, sometimes incorporating cornmeal into the batter for texture.
• Tarte Tatin: A French variation using apples, traditionally made with a pastry crust instead of cake batter.

Related pages

• Cake
• Baking
• Dessert
• Tarte Tatin

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  Pineapple upside-down cake

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  Upside-down cake

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  Pear upside-down cake

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  Upside-down pineapple cake

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  Apricot upside-down cornmeal cake

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  Tarte Tatin apple tart