SMOKED Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

by: Phylicia Burd

Steps

The holidays are a pineapple-perfect time to gather with family and friends, and what better way to spread cheer than with a warm, buttery Pineapple Upside-Down Cake? Smoked to sweet, caramelized perfection on the Kamado Joe Pellet Joe, this festive dessert is sure to be the star on top of your Christmas spread.

With its golden brown topping, luscious pineapple rings, and rich, buttery cake, this is a dessert that’ll have everyone feeling merry and bright. Plus, smoking it on your Kamado Joe adds a smoky depth of flavor that pairs beautifully with the sweet, tropical notes of pineapple. Let’s get smokin’ and make this holiday season sleigh-worthy! 🎄🔥🍍

Let's Get This Started:

 1. Start by preparing your Kamado Joe for smoking. Fill the hopper with your choice of wood pellets. Preheat the grill to 360°F for indirect cooking. (I recommend using an apple or cherry wood pellet.)

2. In a saucepan, melt 1/2 cup of butter over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar until it's fully combined and slightly bubbly. 

3. Pour the butter and sugar mixture into the bottom of a greased 9-inch round cake pan. 

4. Arrange the pineapple slices on top of the butter-sugar mixture. Set aside. 

5. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. 

6. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.

7. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. 

8. Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk and pineapple juice. Begin and end with the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. 

9. Pour the cake batter over the pineapple slices in the cake pan, spreading it evenly. 

10. Place the cake pan on the preheated Pellet Joe, making sure it's set up for indirect cooking. You can use a heat deflector or place the cake pan away from the direct heat source.

11. Close the grill lid and smoke the cake for about 35-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

12. Keep an eye on the cake to ensure it doesn't overcook. If the top is browning too quickly, you can loosely cover it with aluminum foil. 

13. Once the cake is done, remove it from the grill and let it cool for about 10 minutes in the pan.

14. Place a serving plate over the top of the cake pan and carefully invert the cake onto the plate. Let it sit for a minute to allow the topping to release onto the cake. 

15. Gently lift the cake pan off, revealing the smoked pineapple upside-down cake.

16. Slice and serve the smoked pineapple upside-down cake while it's still warm. It's delicious on its own or topped with a scoop of a vanilla ice cream. 


Enjoy and remember, you got this!

Written by: Phylicia Burd

Recipe by: Kamado Joe