Yield: 12 Jumbo cupcakes, or (1) 9"x13" pan
Ingredients:
Brown Sugar Glaze
6 Tbsp. Challenge butter
2 Tbsp. light corn syrup
1 cup (packed) brown sugar
12 (canned) pineapple slices (you'll need 2 cans)
6 maraschino cherries (each cut in half)
Cake
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 eggs
2 cups sugar
1 cup oil (vegetable, canola, etc)
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup sour cream (any fat content)
Directions:
Directions (pictured above)
1. Prepare 2 JUMBO cupcake pans by greasing the molds, and then lining just the bottoms with paper liners. I used Jumbo cupcake liners, and cut them down so the liner just fills the bottom (and up the side just a bit). The liner will just help keep the pineapple and glaze in tact as you remove the cakes from the pan.
2. Prepare the pineapple slices by cutting out a notch of pineapple (as pictured above). This allows the pineapple to sit nicely in the bottom of the cupcake pan. Cut one pineapple slice and then place it in your pan to get an idea of the size piece you need to remove.
3. Prepare the brown sugar glaze by combining the butter, corn syrup and brown sugar in a small saucepan. Heat until the butter and sugar are melted, and the mixture is smooth. Set aside to cool.
4. Prepare the cake batter. In a large bowl add the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Whisk to combine, then set aside.
5. In the bowl of an electric mixer, add eggs and beat 15 seconds. Add the sugar, and continue to beat until the mixture thickens and is a light in color.
6. While mixing on low speed, add the oil and vanilla and mix until well blended. Add sour cream, and mix to combine.
7. Slowly add the flour mixture and mix just until the flour is fully incorporated.
8. Assemble cakes for baking by adding 1-1/2 tablespoons of the brown sugar mixture to the bottom of each (lined) cupcake mold. Top glaze with a slice of pineapple and half of a maraschino cherry.
9. Pour (or scoop) the cake batter on top of each pineapple slice, filling each cupcake mold 2/3 - 3/4 full (do your best to evenly divide the batter between each cupcake).
10. Bake cupcakes in a preheated 350*F oven for about 25 minutes (or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cake comes out clean, or with a few moist crumbs).
11. Allow cakes to cool about 5 minutes, then run a knife along the edges of each cake to losen it from the pan. Flip over the entire pan, onto a baking sheet. Remove the paper liner, and serve.
Cakes can be served warm, or at room temperature.
Recipe Source- Glorious Treats
Notes - If you only have one jumbo cupcake pan, simply bake one pan at a time, then repeat the assembly for the second batch.
If making this recipe as one large cake, lightly grease the pan, and line the bottom with parchment paper. Baking time is not listed because I have not made the recipe in a 9"x13" pan. I would estimate 45-50 minutes, but you will know the cake is done when the top is a deep golden brown, the center of the cake has a slight dome, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. After baking, cool at 15 minutes. Run a knife along the edges of the pan to loosen cake, and turn pan upside down over a baking sheet or platter. Allow the pan to remain (upside down) on the cake a minute, then carefully remove.
If desired, you could prepare this recipe using the pineapple and brown sugar glaze listed, but replace the cake recipe with a boxed mix yellow cake (prepare the cake batter as directed on the box).
These beautiful and delicious little cakes can be made up to two days in advance.
