Vintage 1960s Holiday foods-Pineapple or Stone Fruit Upside Down Cake

 

We always had Stone Fruit Upside Down Cake (plums or cherries) for Thanksgiving. I grew up in New York so stone fruit was readily available. Pineapple Upside-down Cake was something of a novelty in my family until we moved to Los Angeles.

 

Pineapple Upside Down Cake

or

Stone Fruit Upside Down Cake

 

3 tbsp. plus 1/2 c. (1 stick) butter, softened

1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

Choice of fruit toppings (see measurements below)

1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

1 cup  granulated sugar

3 large eggs

1 tbsp. vanilla extract

1/2 c. whole milk

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In 12" heavy skillet with oven-safe handle, melt 3 tablespoons butter on medium, swirling to coat side of the pan. Sprinkle brown sugar evenly over butter and continue to cook 1 minute. Remove from heat. Add fruit, cut sides down, to fill the entire bottom of the skillet.

In a large bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. In another large bowl, with mixer on medium speed, beat remaining 1/2 cup butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, scraping side of bowl occasionally. Beat in eggs, 1 at a time, then vanilla until well blended. With the mixer on low, beat in flour mixture and milk, alternating, until just blended.

Pour batter over fruit in skillet; gently spread into even layer. Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool cake in skillet on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Loosen sides of cake from pan with a mini spatula or paring knife.

Place large serving platter over skillet. Carefully invert cake onto a platter and remove skillet; cool slightly to serve warm or cool 2 hours and serve at room temperature.

 

Choice of fruit toppings

**-3 8oz cans slice Pineapple, 16 maraschino cherries

-1 1/2 lbs. peaches, peeled, halved and cut into eighths

-3/4 lb. cherries, pitted and halved

-1 1/2 lbs. plums, halved and cut into eighths

 

**Try adding pecans or walnuts in between the pineapple slices.

This recipe can also be made with pineapple chunks.