Before I even get into the recipe, I just want to say thank you. If you’re here, it means you love a good dessert — and that makes you my kind of person! This recipe for Brown Sugar Pineapple Upside Down Cake Bars is pure joy in every bite. Moist, buttery, golden, and drenched in pineapple-caramel goodness, it’s the kind of treat you make once… and then get asked for every single time after. 😍
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What Are Brown Sugar Pineapple Upside Down Cake Bars?
Think of your favorite pineapple upside-down cake — but make it more casual, more shareable, and honestly, even more addictive. These bars are baked in a rectangular dish and sliced into golden, sticky squares with sweet pineapple slices nestled in a caramelized brown sugar-butter glaze. The cake itself is buttery, moist, and perfectly balanced.
These are portable, picnic-friendly, and way easier to serve than a traditional round cake. Oh, and did I mention that they smell insanely good while baking??
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Made with simple pantry ingredients
- No need to flip the cake (but still get that classic upside-down effect!)
- Perfect texture – soft, tender crumb with sticky-sweet pineapple topping
- Great for potlucks, brunches, BBQs, or just you + coffee
- Feels fancy, but is secretly easy
What Do They Taste Like?
Heaven. They taste like heaven.
You get that toasty brown sugar flavor right on top, with warm buttery notes soaking into the golden sponge. The pineapple? Sweet, juicy, and just caramelized enough to make your kitchen smell like a tropical vacation. 🍍🌞
Benefits of These Cake Bars
- Lower mess than a traditional cake
- Kid-approved and great for lunchboxes
- Can be made ahead of time
- Easily adaptable to gluten-free or dairy-free diets
- Looks impressive — tastes even better!
🛒 Ingredients
For the Pineapple Topping:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 can (20 oz) pineapple slices, drained and halved
For the Cake:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup milk
🧰 Tools You’ll Need
- 9x13-inch baking dish
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer or whisk
- Spatula
- Measuring cups & spoons
🔁 Ingredient Swaps & Additions
- Gluten-free flour blend can be subbed 1:1 if needed
- Add maraschino cherries in between pineapple slices for a pop of color!
- Use pineapple tidbits instead of rings if you prefer more coverage
- Add 1/2 tsp cinnamon or nutmeg to the cake batter for warm spice notes
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat & Prep
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your 9x13-inch pan or line it with parchment.
Step 2: Make the Topping
Pour melted butter into the bottom of the dish and sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over it. Lay the pineapple slices over the sugar, slightly overlapping or arranged in rows.
Step 3: Make the Cake Batter
In a bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in two additions, alternating with the milk. Mix until just combined.
Step 4: Assemble & Bake
Carefully spoon the batter over the pineapple and spread it evenly. Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the top is golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
Step 5: Cool & Slice
Let cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing into bars. You don’t need to invert this — the gooey pineapple topping stays beautifully on top!
🍽 Serving Suggestions
- Serve slightly warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream
- Add a dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce
- Enjoy cold with a hot cup of coffee or tea
- Sprinkle a little flaky sea salt for contrast (trust me!)
💡 Tips for Perfect Cake Bars
- Drain your pineapple well — excess juice can make the bars soggy.
- Don’t overmix the batter – a light touch keeps it fluffy.
- Let the bars cool before slicing for cleaner edges.
- Use room temperature butter and eggs for best results.
🧊 Storage Instructions
- Room temp: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Fridge: Will keep for up to 5 days — just let come to room temp before serving.
- Freezer: Freeze slices individually wrapped for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temp.
ℹ️ General Information
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Bake Time: 40 minutes
- Cooling Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Servings: 12–16 bars (depending on size)
❓ FAQs
Can I use fresh pineapple?
Yes! Just slice it thin and make sure to remove any tough core bits.
Can I make this in a round cake pan?
Absolutely. An 8x8 or 9-inch round pan works great. You may need to reduce baking time by 5–10 minutes.
Why isn’t my topping gooey enough?
Make sure the brown sugar and butter are well combined before laying the pineapple, and don't overbake.
Can I make these ahead?
Yes! These bars taste even better the next day as the flavors settle.
❤️ Final Thoughts
This recipe is a beautiful blend of old-school comfort and modern convenience. These Pineapple Upside Down Cake Bars are the kind of dessert that makes you close your eyes and sigh after the first bite. They're sticky, sweet, buttery, and just a little bit nostalgic — in the best way possible.
Perfect for sharing, gifting, or hoarding (I don’t judge 😉), they’ll become a go-to in your recipe box.
🍍 More Pineapple Goodness to Try
- Grilled Pineapple with Honey & Lime
- Pineapple Coconut Poke Cake
- Pineapple Cream Cheese Bars
📸 Let’s See Your Creations!
Tried this recipe? I’d be over the moon to see it!
Tag your photos on Pinterest or Instagram with #MmmRecipes and leave a comment below sharing how it went! 🧡
🧮 Nutritional Info (Per Bar – Approximate)
- Calories: 270
- Fat: 12g
- Carbs: 38g
- Sugar: 26g
- Protein: 3g
- Fiber: 1g
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