Pineapple Upside Down Coconut Rum Cornmeal Cake

Pineapples are said to be a symbol of hospitality, so it’s hard for me to imagine a more perfect dessert for dinner guests than this very cake. It’s no ordinary pineapple upside-down cake. It is a 12-inch circle of fluffy cornmeal crumb studded with toasted coconut and infused with a shot of aged rum. Eight thick slices of fresh pineapple crown this cake, along with a buttery brown sugar syrup that runs down the sides as you unmold it.

The inspiration for this cake comes from an old issue of Garden and Gun magazine. The original recipe instructions call for a 12-inch cast iron skillet, but I don’t have one that large. My 10-inch skillet meets all of my needs (which is mostly making cornbread for a dozen folks). All of the assembled cake components will easily fill a 12-inch cake pan, so I wouldn’t recommend trying to use a smaller pan.

It’s hard to beat a classic, but this is such a nice departure from ordinary pineapple-upside down cake. Coconut, rum, and pineapple give this cake undeniable tropical sweetness, but the golden cornmeal gives it a down-home flavor that tastes like it has true southern heritage.

Pineapple Upside-Down Coconut-Rum Cornmeal Cake

Heather Baird
Adapted from a recipe by chef Griffin Bufkin at Southern Soul Barbecue in St. Simon’s Island, Georgia, featured in the October/November 2016 edition of Garden & Gun magazine. A rustic, Southern take on a classic dessert, that tastes like a heirloom recipe your granny might have made! This makes a large cake that would be great for potlucks and big family gatherings.
No ratings yet
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12

Equipment

  • 12 inch round cake pan

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 cup 68 grams sweetened flaked coconut
  • 1 cup 125g stone ground cornmeal
  • 2 1/2 cups 319g all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tbsp. baking powder
  • 2 1/4 cups 550g dark brown sugar
  • 1 cup 240ml whole milk
  • 3/4 cup 180ml evaporated milk
  • 1/2 cup 120ml vegetable oil
  • 1/4 cup 60ml aged or dark rum
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 eggs
  • 1/2 cup 113g unsalted butter
  • 8 fresh pineapple slices 1/2-inch thickness

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a 12-inch round cake pan with flour-based baking spray (we recommend Baker’s Joy.
  • Spread flaked coconut on a baking sheet in an even layer and bake 7-10 minutes or until browned, stirring occasionally. Remove from the oven and set aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl, stir together cornmeal, flour, salt, baking powder, 1 1/2 cups (294g) of the brown sugar, and the toasted coconut. Stir until smooth, breaking up any brown sugar lumps with your fingers. In a separate bowl, whisk together the two milks, canola oil, rum, vanilla extract and eggs. Pour the wet ingredient mix into the dry ingredient mix, and stir together until a smooth cake batter is formed. Set aside while you prepare the topping for the cake.
  • Make the topping: In a skillet or saucepan, melt butter and the remaining 3/4 cup brown sugar together on medium high heat, stirring occasionally for about 5 minutes to caramelize. Pour the mixture into the prepared 12 inch baking pan and spread to edges of pan. Place pineapple slices evenly spaced on top of this layer. Pour the batter into the pan over the pineapples and smooth with a spatula or the back of a wooden spoon. Bake for 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean.
  • Remove from the oven and let stand to cool 15 minutes before inverting the cake onto a serving plate. Spoon any remaining topping that might be in the baking pan onto the top of the cake. You can add fresh sweet cherries as a pretty garnish that makes a nice substitute for the classic maraschino cherries. Serve and enjoy!
Keyword dark rum, pineapple slices, upside down cake
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Follow:
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
7 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Natalie
Natalie
5 years ago

This cake looks so delicious! I love the combination of pineapple, coconut and rum – so good!

vex 3
vex 3
5 years ago

wow, the cake looks delicious and very attractive, thank you for sharing

Unknown
Unknown
5 years ago

very tasty recipie with different ingredients.If u want to know more recipies please click here https://www.bookthecake.com/

Linda
Linda
5 years ago

Looks delicious! . Can’t wait to try these!
https://coolkitchenutensils.com

Colette (Coco)
Colette (Coco)
5 years ago

I don't know how I missed this one, Heather! I've never made pineapple upside-down cake. Gotta try your rx! xo

francesco caselli
francesco caselli
5 years ago

This is delicious! I will prepare this evening for my partner. Thank you very much 

linda
linda
4 years ago

How wonderful…. I'm sure my family and friends will love it. Thank you very much