Pineapple Upside Down Cupcakes

Ingredients

• 0.5 stick butter (for the topping)
• 1 cup sugar (for the topping)
• 2 tbsp molasses (for the topping)
• 1 can pineapple slices (reserve the juice)
• Maraschino cherries (one per cupcake)
• 0.5 cup flour (for the cake batter)
• 1 tsp baking powder (for the cake batter)
• 0.25 tsp salt (for the cake batter)
• 1 cup sugar (for the cake batter)
• 1 stick butter (softened, for the cake batter)
• 2 eggs (large, room temperature)
• 1 cup reserved pineapple juice (from the canned pineapple)

Steps

1. 1

   In a warm pot, combine ½ stick of butter, 1 cup sugar, and 2 tablespoons molasses.

2. 2

   Mix and cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring until well blended and slightly thickened. Remove from heat.

3. 3

   Spray a muffin pan thoroughly with baking spray.

4. 4

   Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the sugar-butter mixture into the bottom of each muffin cup.

5. 5

   Drain the canned pineapple, reserving the juice for later use in the batter.

6. 6

   Place one pineapple slice into each muffin cup on top of the sugar mixture.

7. 7

   Insert a maraschino cherry into the center hole of each pineapple slice.

8. 8

   In a bowl, whisk together ½ cup flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ¼ teaspoon salt, and 1 cup sugar until evenly combined.

9. 9

   In another bowl, mix 1 stick of softened butter with 2 room temperature eggs until smooth.

10. 10

    Add half of the dry mixture to the wet mixture and mix until just combined.

11. 11

    Pour in 1 cup of reserved pineapple juice and mix again.

12. 12

    Add the remaining dry ingredients and whisk until the batter is smooth.

13. 13

    Evenly distribute the cake batter over the pineapple slices in each muffin cup.

14. 14

    Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean.

15. 15

    Let cool for a few minutes, then invert onto a serving plate so the pineapple is on top.

16. 16

    Serve the cupcakes warm.

Notes

Ensure the eggs are at room temperature to prevent the softened butter from curdling when mixed. If the pineapple slices are too large for your muffin tin, you can trim them slightly or use pineapple tidbits.

Nutrition per serving

• dessert
• cupcakes
• baked
• pineapple
• southern
• sweet
• fruit dessert