Pineapple Upside Down Pancakes (Printable)

Fluffy pancakes topped with caramelized pineapple rings and cherries, ideal for a brunch treat.

# Components:

→ Topping

01 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
02 - 1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
03 - 8 canned pineapple rings, drained
04 - 8 maraschino cherries, drained

→ Pancake Batter

05 - 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
06 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
07 - 2 teaspoons baking powder
08 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
09 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
10 - 1 cup whole milk
11 - 2 large eggs
12 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
13 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

# Method:

01 - In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Stir in the light brown sugar until fully dissolved and a smooth caramel mixture forms. Remove from heat.
02 - Preheat a large nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Lightly grease the cooking surface with butter or a nonstick cooking spray.
03 - Spoon a portion of the prepared brown sugar mixture onto the preheated skillet for each pancake. Place one drained pineapple ring onto the sugar mixture and position a drained maraschino cherry in the center of each pineapple ring.
04 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until thoroughly combined.
05 - In a separate bowl, whisk together the whole milk, large eggs, melted unsalted butter, and pure vanilla extract until smooth.
06 - Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Mix gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few small lumps are acceptable.
07 - Pour approximately 1/3 cup of pancake batter over each prepared pineapple ring, gently spreading to ensure the batter covers the ring and forms a pancake shape. Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until bubbles appear on the surface and the edges begin to set. Carefully flip the pancakes with a spatula and cook for an additional 2 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through.
08 - Serve the pancakes warm, with the pineapple side facing upwards. Repeat the cooking process with the remaining batter and ingredients, re-greasing the skillet as necessary.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in just 35 minutes from start to finish
  • Perfect for impressing weekend guests without complicated techniques
  • Uses simple pantry ingredients you likely already have
  • Creates a beautiful presentation with minimal effort
  • Can be customized with seasonal fruits
02 -
  • These pancakes are best served immediately while the caramel is still warm
  • The recipe can easily be doubled for larger gatherings
  • Leftover pancakes can be refrigerated but the caramel will harden
  • These pancakes contain about 320 calories per serving
  • They make a perfect special occasion breakfast that feels like dessert
03 -
  • The key to perfectly flipping these pancakes is patience. Wait until you see bubbles forming across the surface and the edges looking dry before attempting to flip.
  • Use the largest spatula you have and commit to the flip with confidence. If your first one isn't perfect, remember that even imperfect pancakes taste delicious and the next one will be better!

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