This gluten-free pineapple upside-down cake is buttery, fluffy, and crowned with caramelized pineapple rings and juicy raspberries. Baked in a single pan, this classic dessert is made to impress without sacrificing flavor or texture. It’s one of my favorite cakes to bring to cookouts or parties because no one can tell it’s gluten-free!
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our Disclosure Policy.
This cake turns out perfect, from the level of fluffiness to the caramelized pineapple top. I have made and tested this recipe multiple times so you know it is reliable and works. This gluten-free pineapple upside-down cake has a buttery, moist cake batter that bakes into a tender crumb. The pineapple juice seeps into the cake during baking, adding extra moisture and flavor.
If you love making cakes as much as I do, check out my delicious gluten-free cake recipes. You may also want to try my Gluten-Free Hummingbird Cake or this Gluten-Free Pineapple Coconut Cake. They are also tender from baking with pineapple!
Ingredient Notes:
For the full list of ingredients and amounts, please go to the recipe card below.
- Gluten-Free Flour Blend – I tested this recipe with King Arthur Measure for Measure. Other blends should work, but you want to keep an eye on the batter and the moisture content. Some blends need more liquid than others, so you may need to add more flour or liquid if you use a different blend than the one I tested. Read Why Gluten-Free Flour Blends Vary to learn more.
- Xanthan Gum – Add 3/4 teaspoon if your blend doesn’t contain xanthan or guar gum (or another binding agent). Read more about Why Binders Matter in Gluten-Free Baking to learn more.
- Baking Powder and Soda – This gives rise to the cake.
- Sugar and Brown Sugar – I used cane sugar and light brown sugar. Dark brown sugar is also fine.
- Eggs – Use large eggs.
- Pineapple Rings – Don’t dump out the juice because it is used to add flavor to the cake.
- Butter – Use unsalted butter. See Substitutions below for a dairy-free swap.
- Vanilla Extract – Use pure vanilla extract.
- Raspberries – See Substitutions below for other ideas, including the classic maraschino.
Substitutions:
- Maraschino Cherries – I do not like all the food coloring in jarred cherries, so I swapped fresh raspberries. You can also use fresh pitted or frozen cherries.
- Dairy-Free Swap – To make this cake dairy-free, swap the butter for plant-based butter. I used almond milk in this recipe, but you can use any non-dairy milk or regular milk to make this gluten-free pineapple upside-down cake recipe.
- Gum-Free Swap – If you can not have xanthan or guar gum, use my DIY Gluten Free Flour Blend to make this cake. It contains psyllium husk as the binder. I have tested my flour blend in several cake recipes, so I know it will work in this recipe.
For more information, this article talks more about What Gluten-Free Flour Blends Work Best in which types of recipes. This Gluten-Free Honey Cake is another show stopper that everyone loves.
Recipe Testing Notes From My Kitchen
This cake was a dream to test. I have tested it in a springform pan and a 12 inch cast iron skillet. Both worked to bake the cake beautifully, but I loved the ease of removing the side with the springform pan. The cake came out looking much better.
I tested this recipe with only one store-bought flour blend. I also tested my homemade GF All Purpose Flour Blend. Both worked incredible well in keeping a soft tender crumb. Lastly, I tested a dairy-free version using Earth Balance dairy-free butter. I do like the real butter cake a bit more because the butter caramelizes better than plant-based versions, but the dairy-free cake did taste delicious.
How To Make Gluten-Free Pineapple Upside-Down Cake:
Step 1: Add the gluten free flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to a large
Step 2: Add the pineapple juice, eggs, melted butter, vanilla, and milk to a smaller bowl and whisk.
Step 3: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.
Step 4: Mix the wet and dry ingredients into the cake batter. Do NOT overmix the batter, or your cake will turn out denser. You can see the texture of my cake batter in this photo.
Every gluten free flour blend has a different grain-to-starch ratio. These differences affect the moisture level of your batter. If you think your batter is too thick, add more liquid; if you think your batter is too runny, add more gluten free flour.
Email This Recipe To Me!
I will email this recipe to you, so you can come back to it later!
Step 5: Add the butter and brown sugar to a small saucepan. Heat on low and allow the brown sugar and butter to melt together. Cook on low heat for 5-8 minutes, stirring very frequently.
Step 6: Spray a 9 inch cake pan or 9 inch springform pan with gluten-free baking spray. Put it in a larger pan if you are using a springform pan. Liquid can come out a bit, so the pan catches these drips. Arrange the pineapples and raspberries inside each ring.
Step 7: Pour the semi-cooled caramel sauce over the pineapples. Try to spread it out evenly without moving the pineapples and raspberries.
Step 8: Spread the cake batter over the butter and brown sugar caramel. Spread the cake batter evenly.
Step 9: Bake the cake at 350º F for 30-35 minutes. In my springform pan, 30 minutes was perfect. The cast iron version baked faster. Time will vary depending on pan size and oven.
To test for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. If the toothpick comes out clean, it is done baking. If you see batter or crumbs, the cake must be baked longer.
🔑 Sandi says: If you use a springform pan, you must have a pan underneath because the springform pan may leak. I had a pan, but I would use a closed-bottom cake pan if I had to make the cake again.
Step 10: You can see how some brown sugar came out of the bottom of the pan. The extra pan underneath prevented this from making a mess in the oven.
Step 11: Let the cake sit on a cooling rack for 5 minutes. Place a large plate over the top of the cake pan. Carefully invert the pan so the cake drops out onto the plate. Allow the cake to cool to room temperature.
Tips For Success:
- Do not use a stand mixer. Mixers tend to overmix the cake batter, leaving the cake denser.
- I recommend using either the spoon or the leveling method to measure your gluten-free flour. Spoon Method: Use a knife to level along the top to remove the extra flour. Leveling Method: Put the measuring scoop into the flour and fill. Do not pack the flour. Use a knife to scrape along the top to remove the extra flour.
- Be careful not to burn your butter and brown sugar mixture. It needs to cook on very low heat.
For more tips, read my Gluten-Free Cake Troubleshooting Guide and my article on My Favorite Tools for Making Cake.
Serving Suggestions and Storage:
Serve the cake when it has completely cooled. Some of my friends love it with fresh whipped cream. We enjoyed it plain.
Store in this awesome airtight cake tote container in the refrigerator. It will keep fresh for up to 3 days in the fridge. You can also freeze the cake. Wrap it in plastic wrap, then place it in a large zipper bag.
You may also love this simple Gluten-Free Sponge Cake or this yummy Gluten-Free Coffee Cake recipe!
Frequently Asked Questions:
This is a good question. I always refrigerate my cakes. Gluten free baked goods spoil a lot faster than their gluten counterparts. To prevent spoiling, store in the fridge.
You can make this cake recipe in a large 12-inch cast iron skillet. You want to grease the skillet so the cake will release easily.
Yes, you can make this cake 1-2 days ahead. Be sure to store it in the refrigerator.
You can use crushed pineapple, but I recommend pressing some of the liquid out of it so it doesn’t dilute the caramel sauce.
More Gluten-Free Cake Recipes:
Creating gluten-free cake recipes that don’t taste gluten-free is one of my specialties. Here are some more of my cake recipes to try:
- Gluten-Free Orange Poppy Seed Cake
- The Best Gluten-Free Vanilla Cake
- Gluten-Free French Apple Cake
- Rich Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake
Love This Recipe?
If you made and enjoyed this recipe, I would be incredibly grateful if you could leave a comment below. Please include which flour blend you used. This will help others know this recipe is delicious. Thank you!
Easy Gluten Free Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Equipment
Ingredients
Cake:
- 2 cups gluten free flour blend * see notes
- ¾ cup cane sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder aluminum-free
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 3 large eggs
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ cup milk or non-dairy milk
- ½ cup pineapple juice
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Topping
- 20 ounces pineapple rings in juice be sure to save the juice
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ¼ cup fresh raspberries
Email This Recipe To Me!
I will email this recipe to you, so you can come back to it later!
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350º F. Set the oven rack in the middle of the oven.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups gluten free flour blend, ½ teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ¾ cup cane sugar, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Whisk to blend.
- In a smaller bowl, whisk the 3 large eggs, ½ cup milk or non-dairy milk, melted 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, ½ cup pineapple juice, and 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix gently until the two are just barely mixed. Let the batter sit for 15 minutes while you make the brown sugar butter mixture. This gives the rice flour time to absorb the liquid and eliminate any grit.
- In a small saucepan, add the ½ cup unsalted butter and 1 cup brown sugar. Heat on low heat until the sugar is completely melted. Whisk often to prevent burning. Cook for 1-2 additional minutes and remove from the heat.
- Spray a 9-inch cake or springform pan with oil. (If you use a springform pan, you must have a pan below it in case the sugar mixture leaks out the bottom a little.)
- Line the 20 ounces pineapple rings in juice in the pan and add a raspberry or two to each pineapple center.
- Pour the brown sugar butter mixture over the pineapple rings. Top with the cake batter. Use a large spoon to spread the cake batter out evenly.
- Bake the cake for 30 minutes until done. To test to see if it has finished baking, insert a toothpick into the middle of the cake. If the toothpick comes out clean, the cake is finished baking. If you see batter or crumbs, the cake needs to be baked longer.
- Remove the cake from the oven and let it sit in the pan for 5 minutes.
- Place a large round plate over the top of the cake and quickly (and carefully) inver the cake so it comes out on the plate.
- Serve warm or allow the cake to cool to serve.
Notes
- I tested this recipe with King Arthur Measure for Measure. If you are gum-free, my DIY Gluten Free Flour Blend also works well in this recipe. Other blends will work, but you may need to adjust the moisture. If the batter seems too thick, add more milk and if the batter looks too runny, add more flour. Make adjustments 1 TBSP at a time.
- If your blend doesn’t have xanthan, guar gum, or another binder, you must add 3/4 tsp.
- Make this cake dairy-free by using plant-based butter and milk.
- Use maraschino cherries, frozen cherries, or raspberries in the pineapple rings.
- Store in the refrigerator in a covered cake container. It will keep fresh for up to four days.
SPECIAL NOTE
Please know that every gluten free flour blend has a different starch to grain ratio. If you use a blend I didn’t test, my rule of thumb is to add more flour if your dough or batter is wet and add more liquid if the dough or batter is too dry!
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.
I truly hope you enjoy this recipe. I have been testing and creating gluten-free recipes for over 15 years. Creating gluten-free recipes that do not taste gluten-free is my goal for every recipe. Sometimes I only have to test a new recipe a couple of times, and others it takes multiple times. I do this so you get reliable, delicious results every time!
love this batter. bakes up light and so tasty. I used 2 tsp baking powder for a better rise. used crushed pineapple. for 55 yrs made pineapple upside down cake…our family birthday cake. I used Duncan Hines butter mix.
since going GF and detoxing from processed foods with so many words unable to pronounce, I love making my own cakes and breads from scratch
That sounds incredible. I am so glad you are able to detox and feel better now that you are gluten free!
Followed recipe but cooked in a Bundt pan added an extra 10 mins to cooking time. It is absolutely the most delicious pineapple upside down cake ever.
I love the idea of making this in a bundt pan. Did the pineapple lay flat enough? Thank you so much for your note. I am so glad you loved this cake.
Can I double this recipe in a 9×13 pan? If so, how would that affect the baking time?
Hi Kiran, I am sure you could, but I haven’t done this so I can’t advise on baking time accurately. I would advise doing the toothpick test after the listed bake time and add more time as you think it needs to bake.
This was so good. I used great value gluten-free all-purpose flour and it worked great. I did have to bake it about 10 minutes longer. I will definitely make it again.
I am thrilled you enjoyed the recipe, Victoria. Thank you so much for coming back to leave a review and let us know which flour blend you used.
Lost my first try at commenting..
Just make this with great value gf all purpose flour. Used my 10″ cast iron fry pan to bake it in. Looks like yours, but I used fresh pitted cherries..think there was a bit too much margarine in the caramel bottom, but otherwise, it’s good.
Hi Carol, I am so glad you tried the recipe. I haven’t tested that flour, so it is good to know it worked well.