Pineapple Upside Down Mug Cake creates individual servings of moist yellow cake topped with pineapple rings, maraschino cherries, and melted brown sugar, just like the baked cake, but this quick and easy dessert is ready in just one microwave minute.
Why you'll love this recipe
As with all microwave mug cakes on The Monday Box, Pineapple Upside Down Mug Cake is made with shelf stable ingredients that can be packed as a kit in a care package.
There are a LOT of cake mix mug cake recipes on The Monday Box. Most, like Lava Cake in a Mug or Mandarin Orange Mug Cake, give the option of eating the cake straight out of the mug in which itβs cooked, or turned out onto a plate for a fancy presentation.
This recipe requires turning the cake out of the mug onto a plate. Pineapple Upside Down Mug Cake wouldnβt be upside down unless it was turned over!
Usually when making mug cakes, the batter is mixed in the same mug in which it is cooked. For this cake, the brown sugar, pineapple, and cherries are positioned at the bottom of the cooking bowl, and the cake mix batter is mixed in a separate bowl, then poured on top.
In the microwave, the brown sugar melts into a syrup and the cake batter rises. One minute later, dessert is ready!
Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. The full instructions are in the recipe card below.
- Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of brown sugar at the bottom of the cup/bowl.
- Place 1 pineapple ring on top of the brown sugar and 2 cherries in the hole of the ring.
- In a separate mug/bowl, stir together 3 tablespoons of cake mix, 2 tablespoons of water, and 1 tablespoon pineapple syrup/topping. Pour the batter into the prepared mug on top of the pineapple.
- Place the mug onto a small plate to catch any possible overflow drips and microwave on high for 1 minute.
- Immediately upon removing from the microwave, run a knife gently around the sides of the bowl to loosen the cake from the bowl. Dump the cake onto a plate and eat immediately.
Storage
Microwave mug cakes are intended to be eaten immediately after cooking. Make only the amount of cakes needed right away. Stored mug cakes have an unappealing texture.
Tips
- Pineapple Upside Down Mug Cakes can be made in mugs or in the little cardboard snack bowls found in the dollar bin or party aisle at Target. Small microwaveable dessert bowls work too.
- Placing the bowl or mug on a plate for microwaving, just in case there is any overflow while cooking.
- Be sure to run a butter knife all the way around the sides of the cake immediately after zapping so that the cake doesnβt stick to the bowl when turned over.
- Don't use the pineapple topping found in the ice cream aisle. Adding the topping keeps the cake from being fluffy.
Related recipes
This Cake Mix Mug Cake recipe is the place to start. Get all the tips and tricks for creating mug cakes with all of your favorite flavors.
Orange Mug Cake glistens with orange marmalade on top and inside.
Coconut and marshmallow are a tasty combination in Coconut Snowball Mug Cake.
Do you love the flavor of Biscoff cookies? Wait until you try a Biscoff Mug Cake!
Hot Chocolate Mug Cake is rich, chocolaty, and topped with marshmallow.
Microwave Peach Cobbler, has sweet peaches peeking out of the crunchy biscuit dough. Make this mug cake with fresh peaches or shelf stable canned peaches or pie filling.
Ready to bake? Join the free membership group to get new recipes and a newsletter delivered to your inbox! You can also stay in touch on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram. Iβd love to stay in touch!
Pineapple Upside Down Cake in a Mug
Ingredients
- 1 box Angel Food Cake mix
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- Non-stick spray if not using disposable cups and not shipping by air
- Water
- 1 jar pineapple ice cream topping
- 1 bag brown sugar
- 2 jars maraschino cherries
- 2 20 oz. cans pineapple rings 10 rings in each can, packed in pineapple juice, drained
Instructions
- In a gallon sized ziplock bag, combine the two boxes of cake mix. Shake the bag to mix thoroughly.
- Lightly coat the inside of a small microwaveable bowl with non-stick spray or use a disposable microwave safe paper snack cup. (Without the spray the bowl is harder to clean.)
- Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of brown sugar at the bottom of the cup/bowl.
- Place 1 pineapple ring on top of the brown sugar and 2 cherries in the hole of the ring.
- (Here comes the 3-2-1 part) In a separate mug/bowl, stir together 3 tablespoons of cake mix, 2 tablespoons of water, and 1 tablespoon pineapple syrup/topping . Mix to combine thoroughly.
- Pour the batter into the prepared cooking bowl on top of the pineapple.
- Place the bowl on a small plate to catch any possible overflow drips and microwave on high for 1 minute.
- Immediately upon removing from the microwave, run a knife gently around the sides of the bowl to loosen the cake from the bowl.
- Dump the cake onto a plate and eat immediately.
Notes
- Combine the two cake mixes into a labeled gallon-size ziplock bag.
- Include a measuring spoon, a bag of brown sugar, pineapple rings packed in juice, a jar of maraschino cherries, and a jar of pineapple ice cream topping.
- Include microwave safe paper snack cups/bowls, small paper plates, and plastic spoons.
Nutrition
First Published: May 25, 2016. Last Updated: July 20, 2022. Updated for additional information and better reader experience.
Mir
These are gorgeous! I've never even thought of doing pineapple upside-down in a mug cake. In general, I need to get on that mug cake bandwagon. I hear it's totally the best way to make single-serve cake!
The Monday Box
Thanks, Mir! The good and bad news is that 3-2-1 cakes only take a minute to prepare a serving for 1. Too easy, perhaps, to make additonal servings for 1! π
Chris Scheuer
This is too fun Wendy! I love the way the top looks all caramel-y too! They look quite difficult to resist!
The Monday Box
Thanks, Chris! The brown sugar melts into a syrup that's not quite caramel-y but a close substitute for a microwave cake. π
Winnie
Wowwww
These look soooooooo cute π Like little yellow flowers - I love it!
My family loves pineapples so I hope to try it soon
The Monday Box
Thank you, Winnie! When it's hot out, and you don't want to heat up the kitchen, this would be a fun treat!
Miz Helen
I always love a Pineapple Upside Down Cake, this makes me want to make one. I will try your recipe it looks awesome! Thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and have a great weekend!
Miz Helen
The Monday Box
Thank you, Miz Helen! 3-2-1 cakes are a fun solution to a craving. Instant (1 minute) gratification! π Thanks for hosting Full Plate Thursday!
Lisa
I love this idea for an emergency dessert, Wendy! Very creative and so cute π I'm definitely going to pin this recipe to try. I hope you have a great weekend!
The Monday Box
Thanks, Lisa! For times when baking in an oven isn't possible or desirable, 3-2-1 cakes can be fun. π Thanks for pinning and have a wonderful long weekend!
Jeanette
These looks very delicious π
The Monday Box
Thanks, Jeanette! They are great for care packages and midnight cravings! π
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert
We love pineapple upside down cake and these are adorable! I love the ratio of a pineapple to cake too. I need to try these soon. Have a lovely holiday weekend Wendy!
The Monday Box
Thanks, Tricia! These are mug cakes for emergency cravings, dorm/barracks treats, or non-bakers. A different category than "the real thing" but tasty all the same. π I hope you enjoy your long weekend., Tricia!
Ashley
My best friend is obsessed with pineapple upside down cake - it's hands down her favorite dessert. I so need to make this for her and give her a batch to keep on hand!!
The Monday Box
This quickie adaptation is sure to make your obsessed friend happy, Ashley. Imagine being able to satisfy our obsessions at a moments notice! π