Pineapple Upside-Down Muffin Cakes

A friend sends us an enormous fruit basket. I put the contents to good use. First comes a luscious trifle made with oranges, apples, grapes and bananas. Then potent grilled pineapple margaritas, followed closely by a spicy black bean and pineapple salsa. I have two slices of pineapple left. Let me assure you there is no dilemma or dithering on what I should make. I happily whir and whisk the last bits into upside-down cakes. 

My mouth waters as I anticipate my childhood favorite. I modify an old cake recipe into this easily whipped up cakes. Since I only have two slices, I cannot possibly make the tried and tested pie plate version. A muffin pan lets me practice portion control. Or so I think. Each cup is filled with brown sugar, then topped with bits of pineapple. Heaping spoons of batter top the fruit. A hot oven lets them brown evenly.

PINEAPPLE UPSIDE-DOWN MUFFIN CAKES

Makes 12

2 slices fresh Pineapple or 1 cup tinned Pineapple tidbits, drained well 

12 generous teaspoons light or dark Brown Sugar (I used light)

1 stick Butter, at room temperature 

3/4 cup Sugar

1 cup Flour

1 teaspoon Baking Powder

2 Eggs

Butter a muffin pan well. Or use a nonstick spray.

Cut pineapple into small tidbits.

Put a teaspoon of brown sugar into each muffin bottom.

Arrange pineapple tidbits over brown sugar.

Heat oven to 350F.

Place butter and sugar in a bowl of a mixer and beat on high speed till light and fluffy.

Add flour, baking powder and eggs and continue beating for 2-3 minutes. Batter should be thick, pale and creamy.

Divide batter between muffin cups.

Bake cakes for 25-28 minutes till tops are golden brown.

Take cakes out of the oven and cool on a rack for 5 minutes.

Run a knife around the edges of each cake.

Flip muffin pan onto a baking tray.

Take a bite of warm cake.  

Heavenly aromas mingle with summer breezes. My fingers are messy with syrup as I flip muffin cakes onto a baking sheet. Brown sugar glazed pineapple glisten on top of a crusty, moist cake. No plate required for me, as G asks for a fork. My cake disappears in seconds. And then it's time for seconds. Portion control be damned.

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