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Looking for a cake recipe that has no eggs, no milk, and is super easy to make? Then this vegan pineapple upside-down cake is sure to be a winner!

This Pineapple Upside-Down Cake is a much loved vintage dessert turned vegan. It‘s dense and moist, tender and sweet, and best of all … so easy to prepare. As the name suggests, it’s extra fun because it is upside down. You place the toppings at the bottom and then add the dough. Very reminiscent of the 1950’s classic (but better because it’s plant-based)!

completed Vegan Pineapple Upside Down Cake against a white surface

This Vegan Pineapple Upside Down Cake Is: 

  • Egg-free.
  • Made from scratch.
  • A vegan twist on a classic dessert.
  • Plant-based and vegan.
  • So easy that you don’t even need a mixer!

One of the things we love the most about this pineapple cake is that it looks and tastes like a fancy and elaborated creation, when in fact it’s pretty simple to put together. You don’t even need a mixer to prepare it. A whisk, a spoon, bowl, and a springform cake shape (if you have one), is all you need.

The ingredients are also simple and accessible. You’ll need flaxseed meal, warm water, vegan butter, brown sugar, a can of pineapple slices, maraschino cherries, all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, canola oil, vanilla extract, salt, and plant-based milk. If you’re looking for another simple and easy pineapple treat, try out this Pineapple Pie! 

Tips For The Perfect Vegan Pineapple Upside Down Cake

  • One thing you have to remember is that you MUST wait until the cake has completely cooled down before flipping it.
  • If you use a springform pan, it will be a lot easier to flip (but make sure you put a baking sheet underneath in case it leaks).
  • I suggest using vegan butter to prepare your baking dish instead of using parchment paper since it can interfere with your pineapple topping.

Pineapple Upside Down Cake graphic

Flax Egg

The key to this cake’s texture is the flax egg. What is a flax egg? The mix of milled flax seeds and water. When you leave it in the refrigerator for 10 minutes it thickens and takes on the consistency of an egg which helps the cake bind together. Here are more vegan egg replaces for baking to try out!

How to Flip It?

Once the cake has cooled down, run a silicone spatula or bread knife around the sides to loosen it up. Then, place a plate larger than your cake over the springform pan. Holding both sides firmly together, make one flip motion. Your cake should land on the plate.

completed Vegan Pineapple Upside Down Cake against a white surface

The Ingredients and Substitutes:

  • Flaxseed Meal: 2 tablespoons
  • Warm Water: 6 tablespoons
  • Vegan Butter: 1 tablespoon, melted
  • Brown Sugar: 2 tablespoons
  • Pineapple Slices: 1 can (20 ounces)
  • Maraschino Cherries: 13
  • All-Purpose Flour: 1 ½ cups
  • Granulated Sugar: ½ cup 
  • Baking Powder: 1 ½ teaspoon
  • Canola Oil: â…“ cup
  • Vanilla Extract: 2 teaspoons
  • Salt: ¼ teaspoon
  • Plant-Based Milk: 1 cup (oat, soy, almond, etc)

How to Make Vegan Pineapple Upside Down Cake:

Keep scrolling to the recipe card for the complete list of ingredients and recipe instructions!

  • Begin by beating together the flaxseed meal and water in a small bowl for 1 minute. Place in the refrigerator for at least 10 minutes.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and lightly brush a 9 inch circular pie baking pan or dish with the melted vegan butter.
  • Next, you are going to sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over the prepared pan and lay the pineapple slices on top. There should be six in the outer circle and one in the middle. You can also cut the remaining slices in half and add them to the sides of the pie pan. Add the maraschino cherries in the holes of the pineapples (see photo for a visual).
  • Then, in a large bowl, add the flour, sugar, baking powder, canola oil, vanilla extract, salt, plant-based milk, and flaxseed meal mixture, and whisk it together until it’s well-combined.
  • Pour the batter over the prepared pie pan and spread it evenly using a spatula. 
  • Bake for 30 minutes. At the 30 minute mark, remove from the oven and loosely cover with tin foil. Bake for an additional 15 minutes.
  • Remove from the oven, uncover, and allow it to cool for 20 minutes.
  • Gently flip the cake over and slide it out from the pan. (check out the tip earlier in this article on the easiest way to flip your pineapple upside-down cake).

completed Vegan Pineapple Upside Down Cake against a white surface

FAQs

Can this vegan pineapple upside-down cake be made gluten-free?

Yes! Just substitute your preferred gluten-free flour for a gluten-free cake!

Can I use fresh pineapples for this cake?

You can make this pineapple cake with either canned or fresh pineapple. It’s up to you!

How should I store my leftover pineapple cake?

Keep the leftovers covered in the fridge. Consider heating up your leftovers when you are ready to enjoy them again.

More Dessert Recipes You’ll Love

Photos by Alfonso Revilla

Vegan Pineapple Upside Down Cake

4.94 from 45 votes
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Total: 35 mins
Servings: 4 -6 servings
This Pineapple Upside-Down Cake is a much loved vintage dessert turned vegan. It‘s dense and moist, tender and sweet, and best of all ... so easy to prepare.

Ingredients 

  • 2 tablespoons of flaxseed meal
  • 6 tablespoons of warm water
  • 1 tablespoon of vegan butter, melted
  • 2 tablespoons of brown sugar
  • 20 ounces of pineapple slices
  • 13 maraschino cherries
  • 1 ½ cups of all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup of granulated sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder
  • â…“ cup of canola oil
  • 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon of salt
  • 1 cup of plant-based milk

Instructions 

  • In a small bowl, beat together the flaxseed meal and water for 1 minute. Place in the refrigerator for at least 10 minutes.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and lightly brush a 9 circular pie baking pan or dish with the melted vegan butter.
  • Sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over the prepared pan and lay the pineapple slices on top. There should be six in the outer circle and one in the middle. You can also cut the remaining slices in half and add them to the sides of the pie pan. Add the maraschino cherries in the holes of the pineapples (see photo for a visual).
  • In a large bowl, add the flour, sugar, baking powder, canola oil, vanilla extract, salt, plant-based milk, and flaxseed meal mixture, and whisk it together until it’s well-combined.
  • Pour the batter over the prepared pie pan and spread it evenly using a spatula.
  • Bake for 30 minutes. At the 30 minute mark, remove from the oven and loosely cover with tin foil. Bake for an additional 15 minutes.
  • Remove from the oven, uncover, and allow it to cool for 20 minutes. Gently flip the cake over and slide it out from the pan.

Notes

  • One thing you have to remember is that you MUST wait until the cake has completely cooled down before flipping it.
  • If you use a springform pan, it will be a lot easier to flip (but make sure you put a baking sheet underneath in case it leaks).
  • I suggest using vegan butter to prepare your baking dish instead of using parchment paper since it can interfere with your pineapple topping.

Nutrition

Calories: 612kcalCarbohydrates: 94gProtein: 7gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 8gMonounsaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 1gSodium: 416mgPotassium: 249mgFiber: 5gSugar: 52gVitamin A: 90IUVitamin C: 68mgCalcium: 213mgIron: 3mg

Disclaimer: Although plantbasedonabudget.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Plantbasedonabudget.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.

Additional Info

Author: Toni Okamoto
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Method: Oven
Diet: Vegan
Keywords: classic, dessert, easy, fruit tart, no eggs, no milk, pineapple cake, upside down, vegan, vegan cake, vegan tart, vintage cake
Tried this recipe?Please tag us at @PlantBasedOnABudget! 🙂
About

Toni Okamoto

“They say you are what you eat, so I strive to be healthy.
My goal in life is not to be rich or wealthy,
‘Cause true wealth comes from good health and wise ways…
we got to start taking better care of ourselves ” – Dead Prez

More about Toni Okamoto

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