Grilled Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Grilled Pineapple Upside Down Cake

 

Grilling is like bacon, it makes everything better, and grilled desserts are no exception. I know what you are thinking: "If my buddies catch me baking a cake I will never hear the end of it." C'mon guy, if you cook an amazing dessert using only the fire of your grill the only one taking shots at you will be that guy that likes his steaks well done, and nobody likes him anyway. So don't sweat it. You can still bake a cake and keep your man card.

Here is what you will need:

     - An 8"-10" cast-iron skillet

     - A fire resistant glove or high quality oven mitt

     - 1 fresh pineapple

     - 1 box of Betty Crocker super moist yellow cake

     - 3 eggs

     - 1/2 cup vegetable oil

     - 1 tbs. of butter

     - 1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar

     - 1/8 cup heavy whipping cream

     - 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon 

Step 1:

Cut half of the pineapple in to rings that are 1/4 inch thick. You can find easy step by step instructions for cutting fresh pineapple rings here. Once cut, place the rings on your grill over direct heat for 4-6 minutes or until nicely defined grill marks have been seared on one side.

Step 2:

Prepare the cake mix by following the instructions on the box with one important exception. Replace the water with pineapple juice which can be obtained from the remaining half of your pineapple.

Step 3:

Place your skillet on the grill and melt the butter. Once the butter is melted maneuver the skillet around to create an even coat. Then add the heavy whipping cream, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Mix the ingredients using a spoon or spatula and cook until all the sugar has melted. Be careful not to allow the mixture to caramelize. 

IMPORTANT REMINDER: Use your glove or oven mitt when handling the skillet from this point on. The skillet has been sitting over a hot fire, and you might find grabbing it with your bare hand to be unpleasant.

Step 4:

Place your grilled pineapple, grilled side down, into your melted topping. Then gently add a 1" thick layer of the batter from step 2 on top of that.

Step 5:

Prepare your grill for indirect heat by raking the coals out of the center, and adjust the vents to maintain a temperature of 350°F. Place the skillet directly in the center, and close the lid. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Mine usually takes around 25 minutes.

Step 6:

Now it is time for the cake to earn its name. You must turn it upside down onto the dish that you would like to serve it on, and doing this without causing damage to your cake can be tricky. First, run a knife around the outer edge to cut the cake away from the sides of the skillet. Second, place your serving dish upside down on top of the skillet. Then, with one hand on the top and one hand on the bottom flip the skillet and serving dish over with one fluid motion. Finally, gently lift the skillet off of the cake.

Step 7: 

Enjoy! It's not burnt. I promise. It's brown-sugary goodness!

I would love to see your comments, or the changes that you made to make it your own!