Making pineapple upside down cake ahead of time is a great way to get parts of your meal ready early and make entertaining or large gatherings easier. With a few tips and tricks, you can absolutely make this sweet treat the day before and still have it turn out perfectly moist and delicious.
Should You Make Pineapple Upside Down Cake in Advance?
Pineapple upside down cake is a great cake to make ahead of time for a few reasons:
- The pineapple topping helps keep the cake moist – Pineapples contain a lot of juice and natural sugars that help keep cakes from drying out. This makes pineapple upside down cake an ideal cake for making in advance.
- It has a long shelf life – Upside down cakes made with pineapple stay fresh covered at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- You can make it up to 3 days in advance – As long as it’s stored properly, pineapple upside down cake tastes just as good made 1-3 days before serving.
- It’s easy to transport – Once cooled completely, pineapple upside down cake slices neatly and travels well in a cake carrier for potlucks or parties.
- You can customize serving sizes – You can bake it in one large pan then cut it into custom sizes right before serving.
So if you’re looking to get a head start on a bake sale, birthday, or holiday meal, pineapple upside down cake is a great make-ahead choice.
How Far in Advance Can You Make It?
Pineapple upside down cake can be baked up to 3 days before serving. Any longer than that and the cake may start to dry out.
Here are some timeline guidelines for making pineapple upside down cake ahead of time:
- 1-3 days in advance: Bake, cool, and store the cake covered at room temperature up to 3 days before serving.
- 4-5 days in advance: Bake, cool, wrap well and refrigerate the cake. Take out of fridge at least 1-2 hours before serving to take the chill off.
- 6-12 months in advance: Freeze the unbaked cake batter in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before baking.
How to Store Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Use these tips to properly store pineapple upside down cake and keep it fresh for up to 3-5 days:
- Cool completely – Let the cake cool completely, about 1-2 hours, before wrapping up for storage. Residual heat can create moisture and spoilage.
- Wrap tightly – Wrap the cooled cake well in plastic wrap or foil to prevent it from drying out in the fridge.
- Use a cake carrier for transport – To bring the cake to a party or potluck, use a cake carrier to prevent shifting and damage.
- Refrigerate for longer shelf life – For 4-5 days of freshness, store the wrapped cake in the fridge. Take out 1-2 hours before serving.
- Label it – Attach a sticky note with the bake date so you use the oldest cake first.
- Don’t freeze assembled cake – The soggy fruit topping won’t hold up well. Best to freeze just the batter.
How to Prep the Cake Pan in Advance
To get a head start, you can prep and assemble the cake ingredients in the pan 1-2 days before baking. Here’s how:
- Grease and line the cake pan as directed in your recipe. Place a layer of pineapple slices on the bottom of the pan.
- Combine the dry cake mix ingredients in a bowl but do not add eggs, water or oil yet.
- Place the dry cake mix on top of the pineapple slices and press down lightly. The fruit sugars will start soaking into the dry ingredients.
- Cover the pan tightly and refrigerate for up to 2 days.
- When ready to bake, remove pan from fridge and let come to room temperature, about 30 minutes.
- Add the eggs, oil and water called for in the recipe. Mix batter until just combined. Spread evenly over fruit.
- Bake according to recipe instructions. Test for doneness before removing from oven.
How to Make Pineapple Upside Down Cake
This basic pineapple upside down cake recipe turns out perfect every time. Feel free to make it 1-3 days in advance using the storage steps above.
Ingredients
- 1 (20 ounce) can sliced pineapple rings, drained with juice reserved
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- Eggs, oil and water called for on cake mix box
- Maraschino cherries or pecan halves for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- Arrange pineapple slices evenly on the bottom of the pan. Sprinkle brown sugar over the pineapple.
- In a large bowl, prepare the cake batter as directed on box using eggs, water and oil. Pour batter over the pineapple slices.
- Bake 35-45 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool completely.
- Invert cake onto serving platter. Slice and serve.
Tips for Perfect Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Follow these tips for pineapple upside down cake that looks and tastes amazing every time:
- Use fresh, canned pineapple – Fresh or canned pineapple holds up better than frozen or jarred.
- Drain the pineapple slices – Be sure to drain the juice from canned rings so the cake isn’t soggy.
- Pat pineapple rings dry – Gently pat the pineapple slices with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
- Brush pan with butter – Greasing the pan with butter helps the brown sugar mixture caramelize.
- Sprinkle brown sugar evenly – Distribute the brown sugar in an even layer so it dissolves evenly over the fruit as it bakes.
- Don’t overmix batter – Gently mix just until blended and no streaks of flour remain.
- Check for doneness – Test the center of the cake with a toothpick before removing from oven.
- Cool completely before inverting – Letting the cake cool avoids breakage when you flip it onto the serving plate.
Common Questions
Can you make pineapple upside down cake ahead of time?
Yes, pineapple upside down cake can be made 1-3 days in advance. Once cooled completely, wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap or foil and store at room temperature. For longer storage of 4-5 days, refrigerate the wrapped cake. Bring to room temp before serving.
How far in advance can pineapple upside down cake be made?
Pineapple upside down cake tastes best made 1-3 days before serving. It will last for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. The unbaked cake batter can also be made up to 3 months in advance and frozen until ready to use.
Can I prepare pineapple upside down cake the night before?
You can absolutely prep the ingredients in the pan the night before baking. Arrange the pineapple and brown sugar in the greased pan. Mix the dry cake ingredients and sprinkle over the fruit, then cover and refrigerate overnight. The next day, let come to room temperature before adding wet ingredients and baking.
Should pineapple upside down cake be refrigerated?
If not serving within 1-3 days, refrigeration extends the shelf life of pineapple upside down cake up to 5 days. Be sure to cool the cake completely first, then wrap tightly before chilling to prevent drying out. Bring to room temp before serving.
Can you freeze pineapple upside down cake?
Baked pineapple upside down cake doesn’t freeze well, as the fruit topping gets soggy. For best results, measure out the dry and wet ingredients separately and freeze just the unbaked batter for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking.
Tips for Adapting Recipes for Make Ahead
Beyond just pineapple upside down cake, there are a few simple modifications you can make to cake and cupcake recipes to make them better for advance prep:
- Use sturdy fruits like pineapple, apple, or pear rather than delicate berries in any fruit-topped cakes.
- Brush fruit with melted jelly or lemon juice to prevent browning.
- Use dense, moisture-rich ingredients like sour cream or applesauce in the batter.
- Stir in a couple tablespoons of orange juice or rum to boost moisture.
- Underbake slightly, as the cake will continue baking a bit during storage.
- Cool cupcakes upside down on a rack so moisture redistributes as it cools.
- Avoid frosting cakes and cupcakes until ready to serve.
Storage Time for Different Cake and Cupcake Recipes
How far in advance you can bake different cake recipes varies based on the ingredients. Here are some general guidelines for maximum storage times:
| Cake or Cupcake Type | Counter (Room Temp) | Refrigerator | Freezer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sponge or Angel Food Cake | 2-3 days | 5-7 days | 2-3 months (unbaked batter) |
| Pound Cake | 5-7 days | 10-14 days | 4-6 months (unbaked batter) |
| Fruit or Veggie Cake | 2-3 days | 3-5 days | Not recommended |
| Chocolate or Carrot Cake | 3-4 days | 1 week | 2-3 months (unbaked batter) |
| Cupcakes | 2-3 days | 5-7 days | 6 months (unbaked batter) |
creative conclusion
Making pineapple upside down cake ahead of time is clearly a great way to simplify your baking for parties, potlucks, or just busy weeknights. With proper storage techniques, you can bake this crowd-pleasing cake up to 3-5 days before serving. The make-ahead instructions above take the stress out of entertaining and leave you time to enjoy the event. So go ahead and get a head start on any upcoming birthdays or holidays by whipping up a pineapple upside down cake today!
