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Tasty Pineapple Upside Down Sugar Cookies

pineapple upside down sugar cookies - featured image

These pineapple upside down sugar cookies combine the tropical sweetness of caramelized pineapple with a buttery sugar cookie base, creating a delightful twist on a classic treat perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 pineapple slices, canned or fresh
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup softened unsalted butter
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • Optional: pinch of ground cinnamon or nutmeg

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a 9-inch round pan, melt 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Sprinkle 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar evenly over the butter. Arrange 6 pineapple slices on top, spacing them evenly and pressing gently to stick without mashing.
  3. In a bowl, sift together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Set aside.
  4. In a large bowl, beat 3/4 cup softened unsalted butter with 1 cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  5. Beat in 2 large eggs one at a time, then add 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract. Mix until combined.
  6. Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed or folding gently until just combined.
  7. Spoon the dough evenly over the pineapple slices in the pan, spreading gently to cover but not pressing too hard.
  8. Bake for 30-35 minutes until edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  9. Let the cookies cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Run a knife around the edges to loosen, place a large plate over the pan, and flip it upside down to reveal the caramelized pineapple topping. Gently press any pineapple that sticks back onto the cookies.
  10. Allow to cool completely before slicing into wedges to help the caramel set and prevent the cookies from falling apart.

Notes

Use fresh pineapple for a brighter flavor and pat dry to avoid soggy dough. Do not overmix the dough after adding flour to keep cookies tender. Let cookies cool 10 minutes before flipping to prevent caramel from sticking or breaking. For gluten-free, substitute with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. For dairy-free/vegan, use vegan butter and flax eggs. If caramel is too runny after flipping, bake for an additional 2-3 minutes to firm up.

Nutrition

Keywords: pineapple upside down cookies, sugar cookies, caramelized pineapple, tropical dessert, easy cookies, sweet treat