Pineapple Upside Down Mug Cake
This retro-inspired pineapple upside down mug cake brings all the classic flavors of the traditional dessert in an individual portion!
Ready in just 5 minutes, this microwave mug cake creates the perfect caramelized pineapple topping and fluffy vanilla cake. Perfect for when you’re craving a quick tropical dessert but don’t want to bake a whole cake!
Why I Love This Pineapple Upside Down Mug Cake Recipe
As someone who adores classic desserts but lives in a small household, this pineapple upside down mug cake recipe has become my go-to treat! What makes this recipe truly special is how it perfectly recreates that signature caramelized pineapple topping and moist cake texture, all in a fraction of the time of the traditional version.
I especially love how this recipe makes two perfectly portioned cakes – perfect for sharing with someone special or saving one for later. The best part? You get all those nostalgic flavors of a classic pineapple upside down cake without heating up the whole kitchen. Plus, that moment when you flip the mug and reveal the gorgeous caramelized pineapple top never fails to bring a smile to my face!
Ingredients for Pineapple Upside Down Mug Cake
For the Caramelized Topping:
- Dark brown sugar: ⅓ cup – provides that signature caramel flavor
- Pineapple juice: 2 teaspoons (unsweetened) – helps create the perfect syrup
- Pineapple rings: 2 rings – fresh or canned both work great
- Maraschino cherries: 1 cherry, halved – adds classic color and flavor
- Chopped nuts: 1 tablespoon – adds crunch and texture
For the Cake Batter:
- All-purpose flour: ½ cup – creates the perfect cake structure
- Sugar: ¼ cup – balances the flavors
- Egg: 1 large – provides structure and richness
- Unsalted butter: 2 tablespoons, melted – adds moisture and flavor
- Pineapple juice: ¼ cup (unsweetened) – infuses tropical flavor throughout
How To Make The Best Pineapple Upside Down Mug Cake
This quick microwave dessert comes together in two simple parts:
- Prepare the Topping:
- Grease 2 microwave-safe mugs with butter
- Mix dark brown sugar and pineapple juice, dividing between mugs
- Place a pineapple ring and cherry half in each mug
- Sprinkle with nuts
- Microwave each mug for 30 seconds until syrupy
- Make the Cake:
- Combine flour and sugar in a bowl
- Mix in egg, melted butter, and pineapple juice until smooth
- Pour batter over the prepared topping
- Microwave each mug for 1 minute
- Let cool for 3 minutes before inverting onto plates
How To Serve Your Pineapple Upside Down Mug Cake
Serve this delightful dessert warm, right after inverting onto a plate. The caramelized topping will be perfectly gooey, and the cake will be deliciously tender. While this cake is absolutely perfect on its own, you can take it to the next level with:
- A scoop of vanilla ice cream
- A dollop of whipped cream
- An extra drizzle of pineapple juice
- A sprinkle of additional chopped nuts
Pineapple Upside Down Mug Cake FAQs
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Yes! Simply substitute the butter with coconut oil for a delicious dairy-free version.
Can I skip the nuts in this recipe?
Absolutely! The nuts are optional and can be omitted without affecting the recipe’s success.
Can I add rum to this recipe?
Yes! For an adult version, replace 1 tablespoon of the pineapple juice with rum for added depth of flavor.
How full should I fill the mugs?
Don’t fill the mugs more than halfway with batter to prevent overflow during cooking.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
This mug cake is best enjoyed fresh and warm. The caramelized topping and tender cake texture are at their peak right after cooking.
Is this recipe kid-friendly to make?
Due to the very hot sugar syrup, this recipe is best prepared by older teens or adults. The syrup can cause burns if not handled carefully.
Enjoy Your Homemade Pineapple Upside Down Mug Cake!
This quick and easy pineapple upside down mug cake recipe proves that you don’t need hours in the kitchen to create a delicious, nostalgic dessert.
Whether you’re craving a late-night sweet treat or want to impress someone special with a unique homemade dessert, this recipe delivers all the classic flavors in just minutes!
Don’t forget to save this recipe for when you need a quick tropical dessert fix.
If you try this recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out in the comments below! Share your photos and any creative variations you tried – maybe you used different fruits or added your own special touch. Happy baking!
Pineapple Upside Down Mug Cake - Simple Yummy Recipes
Whip up the best homemade Pineapple Upside Down Mug Cake in just 5 minutes! This easy microwave recipe has a classic caramelized topping.
Type: dessert
Cuisine: American
Keywords: Pineapple Upside Down Mug Cake
Recipe Yield: 2 Servings
Preparation Time: PT2M
Cooking Time: PT3M
Total Time: PT5M
Recipe Ingredients:
- ⅓ cup dark brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons unsweetened pineapple juice
- 2 pineapple rings
- 1 maraschino cherry, halved
- 1 tablespoon chopped nuts
- ½ cup flour
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup unsweetened pineapple juice
Recipe Instructions: TO MAKE THE TOPPING 1. Grease 2 mugs with butter. 2. Mix the dark brown sugar and pineapple juice in the bottom of a mug. 3. Transfer half the mixture to the second mug. 4. Add a pineapple ring to each of the mugs and put half the cherry in the center of each ring. Sprinkle each with 1½ teaspoons of nuts. 5. Microwave each mug for 30 seconds, or until the mixture is bubbly and turns syrupy TO MAKE THE CAKE 1. In a medium bowl, mix together the flour and sugar. 2. Add the egg, melted butter, and pineapple juice to the dry ingredients, stirring just until smooth. 3. Divide the batter between the 2 mugs, on top of the syrupy pineapple ring, cherry, and nuts, being careful not to fill the mugs more than halfway. 4. Microwave each mug for 1 minute, or until the top is firm but springy when lightly touched. 5. Let each cake cool in its mug for about 3 minutes, and then turn it out onto a plate. The bottom of the cake now becomes the top.
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