Meema's Pineapple Upside Down Cake

At my grandmother’s house this past Saturday she was telling us how popular pineapple upside down cake was when she was younger. If they were expecting company she would always bake one and everyone was always so impressed. In those days she said it was considered quite the fancy dessert and people felt very special to have one made for them. According to her no one bakes these anymore so she has taken it upon herself to reintroduce pineapple upside down cake to the family and we’re mighty glad she did, absolutely delicious and pretty too.

1/4 cup butter

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1 cup cake flour

1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup milk

1 egg

1/2 tsp. vanilla

1 can pineapple slices in syrup

maraschino cherries

Use an 8" square or round pan. Drain can of pineapple, saving the syrup. Place butter in 8" pan, melt in the oven while preheating to 375°F.

Sprinkle brown sugar over melted butter. Arrange whole pineapple slices and cherries (with cherries in centers of pineapple slices) over the brown sugar in pan. Cut some of the remaining pineapple slices into half circles, and then line the sides of the pan with them (standing up).

In a bowl, combine cake flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, softened butter, milk, egg, vanilla and 2 tablespoons of the pineapple syrup.

Pour batter into the pan being careful not to disturb the pineapples and cherries. Bake at 375°F for 30 to 35 minutes or until cake is golden and has pulled away from the edges slightly.

Remove from oven and allow to stand for a few minutes to set and then turn it upside down onto a serving dish. Serve while still warm.

We saw Paula Deen make this on the food network and now it has become one of our family’s favorite pass around dishes. Depending on whose house we go to there might be something a little extra or different in the casserole. I add just a little finely chopped jalapeno to mine for a little kick. My cousin adds some cubed cooked ham and her mother likes to add bacon. The saltiness of the ham and the bacon are a real nice contrast with the sweetness of the pineapple.

Hot Pineapple Cheese Casserole

2 (20 oz.) cans chunk pineapple, drained

2 cups grated cheese (preferably sharp)

6 tbsp. flour

6 tsp. pineapple juice

1 cup sugar

1 1/2 sleeves of Ritz crackers, mashed

1 1/2 sticks butter

Mix cracker crumbs with butter. Mix all ingredients except cracker crumbs. Spread cracker mixture on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.