Dreaming of sitting by the pool or an afternoon at the beach, as winter approaches? A dessert reminiscent of a tropical island will help that dream feel more like a reality. Pineapple and coconut are two flavors that evoke Caribbean shores with steel drum bands playing in the background and salty seas on the horizon.
Pineapple upside down cake is a familiar dessert classic on which people can put their own unique spins. With this recipe from 鈥淰egan Cooking for Beginners鈥� (Publications International) by PIL editors, vegan dessert guests can also enjoy the fare thanks to vegan-friendly ingredients.
Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Makes 10 servings
Topping
1鈦�2聽聽 聽cup packed brown sugar
1鈦�4聽聽 聽cup vegan buttery spread
7聽聽 聽canned or fresh pineapple slices
7聽聽 聽maraschino cherries
Cake
3聽聽 聽tablespoons boiling water
1聽聽 聽tablespoon ground flaxseed
2聽聽 聽cups all-purpose flour
2聽聽 聽teaspoons baking powder
1鈦�2聽聽 聽teaspoon salt
1聽聽 聽cup granulated sugar
1鈦�2聽聽 聽cup vegetable oil
1聽聽 聽teaspoon vanilla
1聽聽 聽cup refrigerated coconut milk beverage
1鈦�2聽聽 聽teaspoon baking soda
1聽聽 聽tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease 9-inch round baking pan.
For topping, cook and stir brown sugar and buttery spread in medium skillet over medium heat until melted and smooth. Remove from heat. Pour into prepared pan. Arrange pineapple slices in pan, placing cherries in centers of pineapples.
Combine boiling water and flaxseed in small bowl. Let stand until cool. Whisk flour, baking powder and salt in medium bowl. Whisk granulated sugar, oil and vanilla in large bowl until well blended. Whisk in flaxseed mixture. Stir in flour mixture just until moistened. Stir in coconut milk just until blended. Place baking soda in small cup; stir in vinegar. Gently stir vinegar into batter just until blended. Pour batter over pineapple.
Bake 45 to 50 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack for 10 minutes. Run thin knife around edge of pan to loosen cake. Invert onto serving plate. Cool completely.
Note: The cake can also be baked in a 12-inch cast-iron skillet. Melt the buttery spread and brown sugar in the skillet, add the pineapple and cherries and pour the batter over the fruit. Check the cake for doneness at 40 minutes.聽
