This easy pineapple upside down cake uses boxed cake mix, pineapple slices, and brown sugar to create a classic, nostalgic dessert with almost no effort. It bakes up tender, buttery, and full of tropical flavor thanks to the pineapple juice, and it turns out beautifully every single time.
For more easy cake mix desserts, try this pumpkin cake with yellow cake mix and this chocolate bundt cake using cake mix, or browse our collection of 40 cake mix recipes.
Table of Contents
Before You Get Started
- Pat the pineapple rings and cherries dry so the caramel layer stays thick, not watery.
- Replace the water in the cake mix with pineapple juice for richer flavor.
- Use a metal 9 by 13 inch pan for even baking and the best browning.
- Flip the cake between 5 and 10 minutes after baking so it stays intact.
Mom’s Classic Recipe from a Box
This easy pineapple upside down cake has been a hit for generations! My mom always prepares the dessert from a box of yellow cake mix, which works beautifully, tastes delicious, and keeps the prep time minimal.
Here’s our family’s favorite version, which you can enjoy for your next Sunday supper, for a special holiday dessert on Easter or Christmas, or for your next potluck picnic.
How to Make Pineapple Upside Down Cake Using Cake Mix
Step 1: Melt the Butter and Add the Brown Sugar
Add the butter to your baking dish and place it in the oven while it preheats. As soon as it melts, pull it out and sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over the bottom. This creates the syrupy caramel that makes pineapple upside down cake so good.
** Pro Tip: Make sure the sugar covers the entire surface so the fruit sits nicely and does not stick.
Step 2: Arrange the Pineapple Slices and Cherries
Pat the pineapple slices and cherries dry, then lay the rings in the pan. Nestle a cherry into the center of each one, and scatter more cherries between the rings if you like.
** Pro Tip: Drying the fruit is the easiest way to avoid soggy cake. Extra moisture keeps the cake from browning and can make the topping thin.
Step 3: Prepare the Cake Batter
Mix the cake batter according to the package, using pineapple juice instead of the water. If you do not have quite enough juice, just add a splash of water to reach the amount needed.
** Quick Note: My canned pineapple slices include about ¾ cup of pineapple juice. Since my box of cake mix calls for 1 cup of water, I add ¼ cup of water to my pineapple juice in order to reach the 1 cup measurement.
Step 4: Pour the Batter Over the Fruit
Gently spoon or pour the batter over the pineapple. It will spread on its own, so try not to disturb the fruit arrangement.
Step 5: Bake the Cake
Bake until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The edges will look slightly browned.
Step 6: Cool Briefly and Invert
Let the cake rest for about 5 minutes. Run a knife along the sides of the pan, place your serving platter on top, and flip confidently. Leave the pan on top for a minute or two before lifting so the caramel settles onto the cake.
** Pro Tip: Do not wait too long to invert the cake or the topping will start to stick.
Why This Recipe Works
This simple shortcut keeps the flavor classic while making the process as easy as possible.
- Boxed cake mix guarantees a soft, consistent crumb.
- Pineapple juice boosts the tropical flavor.
- Butter and brown sugar form a glossy caramel layer.
- A 9 by 13 inch pan prevents overflow and sticking.
- Minimal prep makes this a perfect beginner-friendly dessert that still looks and tastes impressive.
Variations and Serving Ideas
- Add shredded coconut to the topping for a tropical twist.
- Swap in crushed pineapple if your pan shape makes rings tricky (such as a round cake pan).
- Add a splash of rum extract to the cake batter.
- Make mini upside down cakes in a muffin tin.
- Use cherry juice in place of some pineapple juice for a brighter pink syrup.
- Serve the cake slices with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce, and extra cherries.
Storage, Freezing & Make Ahead
- Store leftovers at room temperature for 1 to 2 days.
- Refrigerate for up to 4 days.
- Freeze slices for up to 2 months.
- Warm leftover slices in a low oven or microwave until soft.
Thanks for the pineapple upside down cake from a box mix. Didn’t have time to make from scratch so this was awesome and a time saver
– Cher
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my pineapple upside down cake soggy?
The fruit was not dried well or too much pineapple juice was added to the batter.
Why did my fruit stick to the pan?
The butter and brown sugar may not have been spread evenly or the pan sides were not greased well.
Can I use a round cake pan instead?
Yes. A 10-inch or 12-inch round pan or cast iron skillet works well. An 8-inch or 9-inch round cake pan may not be big enough, so be careful not to overfill. Reduce the bake time a little if necessary.
Why did my cake fall apart when flipping?
It was either flipped too early or too late. The best window is 5 to 10 minutes after baking.
Can I use a different cake mix flavor?
Yes. White, pineapple, or vanilla mixes work just as well.
Related Recipes
Did you make this recipe?
If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave a comment with a 5-star review at the bottom of the post. Thank you!
Pineapple Upside Down Cake Using Cake Mix
Equipment
- 9 x 13-Inch Baking Dish
Ingredients
- ¼ cup (½ of a stick) salted butter
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1 (20 ounce) can pineapple slices, drained and juice reserved
- 1 (10 ounce) jar maraschino cherries, drained
- 1 (15.25 ounce) box yellow cake mix, plus ingredients called for on the package
- Optional: whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or caramel sauce, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Place the butter in a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Transfer the baking dish to the oven until the butter melts, about 4 minutes. Spray the sides of the pan with nonstick spray.
- Sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over the melted butter. Arrange the pineapple slices on top of the brown sugar. Place a cherry in the center of each pineapple slice, and around the edges of the pan.
- Prepare the cake batter according to the package directions; except replace the water with the reserved pineapple juice. If you don’t have enough pineapple juice to total the required amount of water, just add a little bit of water to reach the correct amount.
- Pour the cake batter over the pineapples.
- Bake for about 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool cake in the pan for about 5 minutes.
- Run a knife along the edge of the pan. Turn the cake upside down onto a tray. Leave the pan on top of the cake for about 1-2 minutes. Carefully lift off the pan.
- Let cool for at least 30 minutes. Slice and serve warm, or cool completely. Top with whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, and/or caramel sauce and extra cherries if desired.
Notes
• Use pineapple juice instead of water in the cake mix for stronger flavor.
• Melt the butter in the pan first to help the brown sugar dissolve evenly.
• Spread the brown sugar in an even layer so the fruit does not stick.
• Do not cool the cake too long before flipping. Invert between 5 and 10 minutes.
• Let the inverted pan rest on top of the cake for a minute so the caramel drips down.
• Use a metal 9 by 13 inch pan for best browning.
• Serve warm with whipped cream, ice cream, or caramel sauce.
• Leftovers keep well refrigerated or frozen.
Nutrition
Originally published in February, 2023, this post was updated in December, 2025.
I have seen pineapple cake mix. I bet that would be amazing too!
Oh, I’ve never seen that. You’re right — I bet it would be great, Sue! Thanks for the tip. 🙂
Looks scrumptious!
Thank you, Johnnie!
I’ve made this recipe before & like, as for 9×13 pan. I recently made it using a boxed butter cake mix & their directions, substituting juice from canned pineapple for the water amount. This time, to make it easier to cut (made for a potluck dessert), used pineapple tidbits & chopped pecans & halved cherries. Lots of compliments.
Thank you for the feedback, Jaye! We’ll have to try that out.
Tks for the pineapple upside down cake from a box mix. Didn’t have time to make from scratch so this was awesome and a time saver
We’re so glad it turned out well for you, Cher! Thank you for trying it out and taking the time to leave a review.